DENVER-The Chicago Rush scored 20 straight points to tie it up, but Earl Ginger made the deciding kick in the final minute to give the Colorado Crush a 26-23 victory in a Week 2 AFL game.
Colorado began the game with possession and drove down the field, going 86 yards on 13 plays. Howton Thom put the exclamation point on the drive with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Turk Dill. Ginger missed the extra point, and the Crush had a 6-0 lead with 8:16 left in the first quarter. Chicago would fumble on its first possession, but Niko Simon would intercept a Thom pass in the end zone to thwart a Crush touchdown threat. From there, the Rush would be forced to punt, and the Crush rolled down the field again, going 63 yards on 5 plays. Thom would throw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Antony Croft and Colorado was up 13-0 with 43 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Chicago finally managed to get into scoring range with a 15-play, 49-yard drive. Dete Justen would kick a 53-yard field goal with 10:26 to go in the second quarter to close the gap to 13-3. Colorado responded with an 8-play, 33-yard drive that saw Ginger make a 48-yard field goal with 7:17 remaining in the half to go up 16-3. Chicago moved the ball again, but Justen missed a 42-yard attempt at the 3:38 mark of the second quarter. Colorado would pin Chicago deep on a coffin corner punt late in the half, and the first half ended with the Crush up 13.
On the second play of the third quarter, Crush CB Deron Putnam intercepted an Arman Drummond pass. Colorado couldn't move the ball and was forced to punt. The Rush seemed to be moving the ball quite well, but Colorado LB Stan Dinn picked off a Drummond pass and raced 70 yards for a touchdown, and the Crush took a seemingly commanding 23-3 lead with 9:54 to go in the third quarter. But the Rush would not say die, as they took the ensuing drive for 79 yards on 11 plays, with Drummond hitting Lonnie Clements for a 24-yard touchdown pass. Justen missed the extra point, and Chicago was down 23-9 with 5:45 to go in the third.
Colorado punted on its next possession, and the Rush were in business again, driving 80 yards on 10 plays. Ward Despain plunged it over the goal line from the 1, and the Rush inched closer, 23-16 with 13:28 left in the fourth quarter. The Crush punted again, and Chicago was on its own 22-yard line with 10:26 to go. Drummond hit Despain for a gain of 18. Three plays later, facing a 3rd-and-13, Drummond found Orrin Davenport for a 16-yard gain and a first down at the Crush 47. Three plays later, the Crush appeared to stop Chicago, but were called for a defensive holding penalty, giving the Rush a first down. The running of Clements and Despain gave them another first down. Kale Colby caught a quick out pass at the Crush 19 for a first down with 4:33 left. Facing a 4th-and-8 at the Colorado 17, Drummond found Marty Margerum for a 9-yard gain and a first down with 2:30 remaining. Finally, on a fourth-and-goal from the 2, Drummond ended the 20-play, 78-yard drive with a touchdown toss to Margerum. Justen's extra point tied the game at 23 with 1:19 remaining, and it looked as if we were staring overtime right in the face. But Colorado's Regis Duck banished such notions on the ensuing kickoff, returning it 50 yards to the Chicago 34-yard line. After three plays netted six yards, Ginger would connect on a 45-yard field goal with 40 seconds left to give the Crush the victory.
Colorado (1-1) managed 282 yards of total offense. The Crush had 54 yards rushing on 20 carries, with Valentine Millstone leading with 28 yards on 13 carries. Thom was 19-for-31 passing for 228 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT and was not sacked. Croft and Duck each had 4 receptions, with Croft gaining 50 yards and 1 TD, and Duck gaining 35 receiving yards. Next week, the Crush head to Dallas to face the Desperados.
Chicago (0-2) gained 417 yards of total offense. Chicago gained 58 yards rushing on 24 carries, with Despain gaining 30 yards on 10 carries with a TD. He also caught 6 passes for 87 yards. Drummond was 36-of-48 passing for 386 yards, 2 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked four times, losing 27 yards. Margerum was the leading receiver for the Rush, with 8 catches for 84 yards and a TD. The Rush are home next week against the Arizona Rattlers.
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Saturday, July 30, 2016
AFL: Sabercats Claw Past Desperados, 37-30
SAN JOSE-The San Jose Sabercats and Dallas Desperados traded momentum back and forth very freely, but the Sabercats maintained just enough momentum to pull out a 37-30 victory in a Week 2 AFL contest.
The Desperados began the game by moving the ball 64 yards on 7 plays. Heinie Voorhees put a cap on the drive by tossing a 14-yard touchdown pass to Horace Evers with 11:20 to go in the first quarter to go up 7-0. San Jose responded in kind, as the Sabercats drove 70 yards on 8 plays. Tim Carey threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Ramon Counce to tie the game at 7 with 8:10 to go in the first. Dallas would move the ball on their next drive for 25 yards on 7 plays, but Greg Hall would miss a 51-yard field goal with 4:44 left in the first. San Jose and Dallas would then trade punts. Late in the first quarter, Golden Reinhart would intercept a Carey pass and return it to the Sabercats' 14-yard line. Three plays later, Voorhees would throw a 3-yard touchdown pass to J.J. Hawes to give the Desperados a 14-7 lead just 10 seconds into the second quarter.
San Jose took just 5 plays to drive 64 yards on their next possession, and Carey threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Turk Costigan to tie the game at 14 with 12:25 to go in the half. The Desperados would fumble the ensuing kickoff, and the Sabercats recovered at the Dallas 32. Ethan Wycoff would kick a 53-yard field goal with 11:13 to go to pull ahead 17-14. Then Dallas would fumble the ensuing kickoff again, and San Jose's Montrose Whitfield returned it to the Desperados' 27-yard line. Four plays later, Wycoff would drill a 26-yard field goal, and the Sabercats went up 20-14 with 9:54 remaining in the half. After the teams traded punts, Voorhees was sacked by Rod Gaines and fumbled. Mac Shockley recovered at the Desperados' 44. Six plays later, Alan Sale ran it it for an 8-yard touchdown run, and the Sabercats had a seemingly commanding 27-14 lead with 2:50 left in the half. But after Evers returned the ensuing kickoff into Sabercats territory, Dallas moved the ball 42 yards on 3 plays. Voorhees threw a 31-yard strike to Hawes for his second touchdown of the game to make it 27-21 with 1:47 remaining. San Jose drove into position for Wycoff to kick a 45-yard field goal with 55 seconds left, but it was partially blocked and Wycoff missed it. From there, the Desperados quickly advanced the ball for Hall to kick a 43-yard field goal with 11 seconds left in the half, and the score was 27-24 Sabercats at the half.
The second half was comparatively tame, scoring-wise. Wycoff missed a 52-yard field goal on San Jose's first possession. The Desperados would punt on their first possession, but were in business when Teddy Stacy fumbled a catch and Jose Moore recovered at the Sabercats' 24-yard line. From there, Hall would kick a 42-yard field goal to tie the game at 27 with 7:29 to go in the third quarter. The Sabercats would take the ensuing kickoff and drive 64 yards on 6 plays. Stacy would atone for his fumble by catching a 7-yard TD pass from Carey to put San Jose up 34-27 with 5:47 to go in the third. The teams would trade punts twice to end the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Chuck Wleborn intercepted a Voorhees pass and returned it to his own 35. Five plays and 28 yards later, Wycoff made his third field goal of the game, this one from 54 yards out, to put the Sabercats up 37-27 with 10:56 to go in the game. The teams would again trade punts, and Dallas would drive 48 yards on 11 plays, settling for a Hall 49-yard field goal with 2:33 remaining to close the deficit to 37-30. San Jose went three-and-out and the Desperados got the ball on their own 20 with 1:10 left in regulation. Dallas managed to get to the San Jose 48-yard line with 2 seconds left, but Russ Bird would intercept Voorhees' final pass attempt to seal the win for the Sabercats.
San Jose (2-0) gained 410 yards of total offense. The Sabercats gained 109 yards rushing, with Sale leading the team with 89 yards rushing on 15 carries and a TD. Carey was 28-for-48 passing for 311 yards, 3 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked once, losing 10 yards. Costigan was the Sabercats' leading receiver with 7 catches for 113 yards and a TD. Stacy made 6 catches for 50 yards and a TD. Counce caught 3 passes for 36 yards and a TD. Next week, the Sabercats will travel to Milwaukee to tangle with the Mustangs.
Dallas (1-1) gained 337 yards of total offense. The Desperados were held to 46 yards rushing, Gregson leading the team with 42 yards on 12 carries. Voorhees went 30-for-47 passing for 320 yards, 3 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked four times, losing 29 yards. Hawes was Dallas' leading receiver, with 11 catches for 102 yards and 2 TD. Evers caught 7 passes for 61 yards and a TD. The Desperados will host the Colorado Crush next week.
The Desperados began the game by moving the ball 64 yards on 7 plays. Heinie Voorhees put a cap on the drive by tossing a 14-yard touchdown pass to Horace Evers with 11:20 to go in the first quarter to go up 7-0. San Jose responded in kind, as the Sabercats drove 70 yards on 8 plays. Tim Carey threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Ramon Counce to tie the game at 7 with 8:10 to go in the first. Dallas would move the ball on their next drive for 25 yards on 7 plays, but Greg Hall would miss a 51-yard field goal with 4:44 left in the first. San Jose and Dallas would then trade punts. Late in the first quarter, Golden Reinhart would intercept a Carey pass and return it to the Sabercats' 14-yard line. Three plays later, Voorhees would throw a 3-yard touchdown pass to J.J. Hawes to give the Desperados a 14-7 lead just 10 seconds into the second quarter.
San Jose took just 5 plays to drive 64 yards on their next possession, and Carey threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Turk Costigan to tie the game at 14 with 12:25 to go in the half. The Desperados would fumble the ensuing kickoff, and the Sabercats recovered at the Dallas 32. Ethan Wycoff would kick a 53-yard field goal with 11:13 to go to pull ahead 17-14. Then Dallas would fumble the ensuing kickoff again, and San Jose's Montrose Whitfield returned it to the Desperados' 27-yard line. Four plays later, Wycoff would drill a 26-yard field goal, and the Sabercats went up 20-14 with 9:54 remaining in the half. After the teams traded punts, Voorhees was sacked by Rod Gaines and fumbled. Mac Shockley recovered at the Desperados' 44. Six plays later, Alan Sale ran it it for an 8-yard touchdown run, and the Sabercats had a seemingly commanding 27-14 lead with 2:50 left in the half. But after Evers returned the ensuing kickoff into Sabercats territory, Dallas moved the ball 42 yards on 3 plays. Voorhees threw a 31-yard strike to Hawes for his second touchdown of the game to make it 27-21 with 1:47 remaining. San Jose drove into position for Wycoff to kick a 45-yard field goal with 55 seconds left, but it was partially blocked and Wycoff missed it. From there, the Desperados quickly advanced the ball for Hall to kick a 43-yard field goal with 11 seconds left in the half, and the score was 27-24 Sabercats at the half.
The second half was comparatively tame, scoring-wise. Wycoff missed a 52-yard field goal on San Jose's first possession. The Desperados would punt on their first possession, but were in business when Teddy Stacy fumbled a catch and Jose Moore recovered at the Sabercats' 24-yard line. From there, Hall would kick a 42-yard field goal to tie the game at 27 with 7:29 to go in the third quarter. The Sabercats would take the ensuing kickoff and drive 64 yards on 6 plays. Stacy would atone for his fumble by catching a 7-yard TD pass from Carey to put San Jose up 34-27 with 5:47 to go in the third. The teams would trade punts twice to end the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Chuck Wleborn intercepted a Voorhees pass and returned it to his own 35. Five plays and 28 yards later, Wycoff made his third field goal of the game, this one from 54 yards out, to put the Sabercats up 37-27 with 10:56 to go in the game. The teams would again trade punts, and Dallas would drive 48 yards on 11 plays, settling for a Hall 49-yard field goal with 2:33 remaining to close the deficit to 37-30. San Jose went three-and-out and the Desperados got the ball on their own 20 with 1:10 left in regulation. Dallas managed to get to the San Jose 48-yard line with 2 seconds left, but Russ Bird would intercept Voorhees' final pass attempt to seal the win for the Sabercats.
San Jose (2-0) gained 410 yards of total offense. The Sabercats gained 109 yards rushing, with Sale leading the team with 89 yards rushing on 15 carries and a TD. Carey was 28-for-48 passing for 311 yards, 3 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked once, losing 10 yards. Costigan was the Sabercats' leading receiver with 7 catches for 113 yards and a TD. Stacy made 6 catches for 50 yards and a TD. Counce caught 3 passes for 36 yards and a TD. Next week, the Sabercats will travel to Milwaukee to tangle with the Mustangs.
Dallas (1-1) gained 337 yards of total offense. The Desperados were held to 46 yards rushing, Gregson leading the team with 42 yards on 12 carries. Voorhees went 30-for-47 passing for 320 yards, 3 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked four times, losing 29 yards. Hawes was Dallas' leading receiver, with 11 catches for 102 yards and 2 TD. Evers caught 7 passes for 61 yards and a TD. The Desperados will host the Colorado Crush next week.
Thursday, July 28, 2016
AFL: Tampa Bay Storms Past New York, 35-22
TAMPA-Orval Stanley threw for three touchdowns and ran for another in leading the Tampa Bay Storm to a 35-22 victory over the New York Dragons in a Week 2 AFL game.
An inclination of how the game was going to go for the Dragons came on the first offensive play of the game. HB Freddy Ashercraft fumbled, and DE Orlan Watson recovered at the Dragons 23-yard line. Three plays later, Jefferson Taylor scored on a 12-yard touchdown run to give the Storm a 7-0 lead with 13:17 left in the first quarter. The Dragons appeared to get a first down on their next drive when Faron Emerson hit Barry Starr for a 38-yard gain only to have it called back by an offensive pass interference penalty. After New York punted, Stanley uncorked a 65-yard bomb to Greg Ponder with 11:10 left in the first quarter to put Tampa Bay up 14-0. New York's offense would finally get on track, driving 53 yards on 12 plays. Burt Hamrick would put the Dragons on the board with a 51-yard field goal with 4:20 left in the first to make it 14-3 in favor of the Storm.
New York would force Tampa Bay to punt, and the Dragons would take another scoring drive, going 72 yards on 9 plays. Emerson would finish the drive with a 14-yard strike to Elvin Strait. The extra point closed the gap to 14-10 with 12:05 remaining in the second quarter. On the ensuing Storm drive, Tampa Bay would march 73 yards on 12 plays. Stanley would score on a 5-yard quarterback keeper to put the Storm ahead 21-10 with 7:38 to go in the half. The teams would trade punts, and then the Dragons would go 82 yards on 7 plays, ending with a Hamrick field goal from 20 yards out to make the score 21-13 with 1:10 to go in the first half, and that's how the half finished up.
The second half began with the Storm and Dragons exchanging punts, and then Tampa Bay rolled on a 13-play, 79-yard drive that ended with Stanley tossing a 3-yard touchdown pass to Foster Warhurst to give Tampa Bay a 28-13 lead with 6:34 to go in the third. New York responded with an 8-play, 65-yard drive, but they couldn't punch it into the end zone, and settled for a 24-yard field goal by Hamrick to make it 28-16 with 1:51 left in the third.
Tampa Bay would put it away on their next drive, moving the ball on 72 yards on 8 plays. Stanley would toss a 2-yard pass to Ponder to make it 35-16 Storm with 12:16 remaining in the game. The Dragons would not say die, however, as they drove 87 yards on 11 plays. Emerson completed the drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to George Larron. The Dragons missed the two-point conversion, and the score was 35-22 in favor of Tampa Bay with 8:05 remaining. The Dragons tried an onside kick, but failed, and from there, the Storm pretty much ran out the clock.
Tampa Bay (2-0) gained 378 yards of total offense. The Storm gained 85 yards rushing, with Taylor leading the way (14 carries, 48 yards, TD). Stanley went 20-for-31 passing for 316 yards and 3 TD, along with his 11 yards on 5 carries and rushing TD. He was sacked 4 times, losing 23 yards. Vinnie Kirksey was Tampa Bay's leading receiver with 4 catches for 37 yards. Ponder caught 3 passes for 98 yards and 2 TD. Warhurst caught 3 passes for 37 yards and a TD. The Storm are on the road next week against the Albany Firebirds.
New York (1-1) gained 433 yards of total offense. The Dragons gained 66 yards rushing, Larron being the lead runner with 37 yards on 7 carries. Emerson went 32-for-43 passing for 382 yards and 2 TD. He was sacked once, losing 15 yards. Ardell Ashmore caught 7 passes for 78 yards. Ashercraft made 6 catches for 109 yards. Larron caught 4 passes for 32 yards and a TD. Strait caught 2 passes for 31 yards and a TD. The Dragons open at home next week against the Georgia Force.
An inclination of how the game was going to go for the Dragons came on the first offensive play of the game. HB Freddy Ashercraft fumbled, and DE Orlan Watson recovered at the Dragons 23-yard line. Three plays later, Jefferson Taylor scored on a 12-yard touchdown run to give the Storm a 7-0 lead with 13:17 left in the first quarter. The Dragons appeared to get a first down on their next drive when Faron Emerson hit Barry Starr for a 38-yard gain only to have it called back by an offensive pass interference penalty. After New York punted, Stanley uncorked a 65-yard bomb to Greg Ponder with 11:10 left in the first quarter to put Tampa Bay up 14-0. New York's offense would finally get on track, driving 53 yards on 12 plays. Burt Hamrick would put the Dragons on the board with a 51-yard field goal with 4:20 left in the first to make it 14-3 in favor of the Storm.
New York would force Tampa Bay to punt, and the Dragons would take another scoring drive, going 72 yards on 9 plays. Emerson would finish the drive with a 14-yard strike to Elvin Strait. The extra point closed the gap to 14-10 with 12:05 remaining in the second quarter. On the ensuing Storm drive, Tampa Bay would march 73 yards on 12 plays. Stanley would score on a 5-yard quarterback keeper to put the Storm ahead 21-10 with 7:38 to go in the half. The teams would trade punts, and then the Dragons would go 82 yards on 7 plays, ending with a Hamrick field goal from 20 yards out to make the score 21-13 with 1:10 to go in the first half, and that's how the half finished up.
The second half began with the Storm and Dragons exchanging punts, and then Tampa Bay rolled on a 13-play, 79-yard drive that ended with Stanley tossing a 3-yard touchdown pass to Foster Warhurst to give Tampa Bay a 28-13 lead with 6:34 to go in the third. New York responded with an 8-play, 65-yard drive, but they couldn't punch it into the end zone, and settled for a 24-yard field goal by Hamrick to make it 28-16 with 1:51 left in the third.
Tampa Bay would put it away on their next drive, moving the ball on 72 yards on 8 plays. Stanley would toss a 2-yard pass to Ponder to make it 35-16 Storm with 12:16 remaining in the game. The Dragons would not say die, however, as they drove 87 yards on 11 plays. Emerson completed the drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to George Larron. The Dragons missed the two-point conversion, and the score was 35-22 in favor of Tampa Bay with 8:05 remaining. The Dragons tried an onside kick, but failed, and from there, the Storm pretty much ran out the clock.
Tampa Bay (2-0) gained 378 yards of total offense. The Storm gained 85 yards rushing, with Taylor leading the way (14 carries, 48 yards, TD). Stanley went 20-for-31 passing for 316 yards and 3 TD, along with his 11 yards on 5 carries and rushing TD. He was sacked 4 times, losing 23 yards. Vinnie Kirksey was Tampa Bay's leading receiver with 4 catches for 37 yards. Ponder caught 3 passes for 98 yards and 2 TD. Warhurst caught 3 passes for 37 yards and a TD. The Storm are on the road next week against the Albany Firebirds.
New York (1-1) gained 433 yards of total offense. The Dragons gained 66 yards rushing, Larron being the lead runner with 37 yards on 7 carries. Emerson went 32-for-43 passing for 382 yards and 2 TD. He was sacked once, losing 15 yards. Ardell Ashmore caught 7 passes for 78 yards. Ashercraft made 6 catches for 109 yards. Larron caught 4 passes for 32 yards and a TD. Strait caught 2 passes for 31 yards and a TD. The Dragons open at home next week against the Georgia Force.
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
AFL: Kats Fall Short Against Firebirds, 24-22
NASHVILLE-The Nashville Kats turned the ball over twice in the fourth quarter in Albany Firebirds territory, and suffered a 24-22 defeat in a Week 2 AFL contest.
Albany received the opening kickoff, and plugged away at the Kats, going 70 yards on 13 plays. QB Sinbad Gargaro put an end to the drive by scrambling 8 yards for a touchdown to give the Firebirds a 7-0 lead with 8:40 to go in the first. Both teams would trade punts to end the first quarter.
The Kats would punt again in the second quarter, but would rise up and get an interception by CB Hamilton Berger at the Albany 21-yard line. But the Kats could not capitalize on the pick, and Daniel Stevenson would miss a 42-yard field goal at the 10:36 mark of the second quarter. The Firebirds would subsequently take advantage, going 68 yards on 9 plays. FB Abdul Fowler would plow in from 5 yards out to put Albany up 14-0 with 6:58 left in the half. Nashville would have to punt again, but Red Hull placed a perfect coffin corner kick at the Albany 2-yard line. Three plays later, LB Parker Kincaid would sack Gargaro in the end zone for a safety with 3:31 left in the half to cut the deficit to 14-2. After the Kats received the safety punt, they would drive 58 yards on 7 plays. This time, Nashville QB Brewster Brickhouse would scramble in from the 9 to make it 14-9 with 48 seconds to go in the half. Albany would quickly move down for Dom Wenning to attempt a 50-yard field goal with five seconds left, but he missed it, and the half ended with the Firebirds nursing a 5-point lead.
Albany caught a break on the second half kickoff, and recovered the ball on the Nashville 29-yard line. Three plays later, Fowler swept around the left side and ran 21 yards for a touchdown. The extra point put the Firebirds up 21-9 with 14:02 left in the third quarter. Both teams would trade punts, and Nashville then drove 55 yards on 4 plays. Brickhouse hit Isaiah Falk for a 20-yard touchdown pass with 8:28 to go in the third to make it 21-16. The Firebirds would then take the ensuing kickoff, and drive the ball 58 yards on 7 plays. Wenning would connect on a 46-yard field goal with 5:18 to go to extend the Firebirds lead to 24-16. The Kats would start their next drive from their own 10, and would move the ball 90 yards on 11 plays. Oliver Osler would end the drive with a 2-yard run. The Kats missed the 2-point conversion attempt, and found themselves still trailing 24-22 with 14:47 remaining in the game.
Albany would punt on its next drive, and Nashville took over on its own 44. The Kats were forced to punt, but Albany's Jimmy Loggeman would fumble the return, and Nashville's Kirk Guthrie recovered at the Firebirds 20-yard line. However, Albany would get the ball back on an Austin Carle interception returned to his own 17-yard line. The Firebirds would punt again, and the Kats looked to get into scoring range again, but Brickhouse fumbled and Firebirds LB Stanford Barbee recovered at the Albany 27-yard line. The Firebirds would attempt to run out the clock and put the game away, but Fowler fumbled at the Nashville 39, and S Lee Roy Jarrod recovered for the Kats with 2:31 remaining. The Kats could not convert on fourth down at their own 46, and after burning their timeouts, could not move fast enough down the field following an Albany punt.
Albany (1-1) gained 352 yards of total offense. The Firebirds gained 123 yards rushing, Fowler leading with 66 yards on 9 carries, with 2 TD. Gargaro ran 8 times for 33 yards and a TD. Gargaro went 20-for-34 passing for 246 yards and 1 INT. He was sacked twice, losing 17 yards. Garry Farr caught 4 passes for 86 yards. Tico Ponder caught 4 passes for 32 yards. Next week, the Firebirds open their home slate against the Tampa Bay Storm.
Nashville (0-2) gained 333 yards of total offense. The Kats gained 102 yards rushing, with Osler leading with 52 yards on 15 carries with a TD. He also led the team with 4 receptions for 56 yards.
Brickhouse ran the ball 5 times for 22 yards and a TD. He also went 17-for-27 passing for 247 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked twice, losing 16 yards. Falk caught 3 passes for 59 yards and a TD. The Kats go on the road next week to face the Grand Rapids Rampage.
Albany received the opening kickoff, and plugged away at the Kats, going 70 yards on 13 plays. QB Sinbad Gargaro put an end to the drive by scrambling 8 yards for a touchdown to give the Firebirds a 7-0 lead with 8:40 to go in the first. Both teams would trade punts to end the first quarter.
The Kats would punt again in the second quarter, but would rise up and get an interception by CB Hamilton Berger at the Albany 21-yard line. But the Kats could not capitalize on the pick, and Daniel Stevenson would miss a 42-yard field goal at the 10:36 mark of the second quarter. The Firebirds would subsequently take advantage, going 68 yards on 9 plays. FB Abdul Fowler would plow in from 5 yards out to put Albany up 14-0 with 6:58 left in the half. Nashville would have to punt again, but Red Hull placed a perfect coffin corner kick at the Albany 2-yard line. Three plays later, LB Parker Kincaid would sack Gargaro in the end zone for a safety with 3:31 left in the half to cut the deficit to 14-2. After the Kats received the safety punt, they would drive 58 yards on 7 plays. This time, Nashville QB Brewster Brickhouse would scramble in from the 9 to make it 14-9 with 48 seconds to go in the half. Albany would quickly move down for Dom Wenning to attempt a 50-yard field goal with five seconds left, but he missed it, and the half ended with the Firebirds nursing a 5-point lead.
Albany caught a break on the second half kickoff, and recovered the ball on the Nashville 29-yard line. Three plays later, Fowler swept around the left side and ran 21 yards for a touchdown. The extra point put the Firebirds up 21-9 with 14:02 left in the third quarter. Both teams would trade punts, and Nashville then drove 55 yards on 4 plays. Brickhouse hit Isaiah Falk for a 20-yard touchdown pass with 8:28 to go in the third to make it 21-16. The Firebirds would then take the ensuing kickoff, and drive the ball 58 yards on 7 plays. Wenning would connect on a 46-yard field goal with 5:18 to go to extend the Firebirds lead to 24-16. The Kats would start their next drive from their own 10, and would move the ball 90 yards on 11 plays. Oliver Osler would end the drive with a 2-yard run. The Kats missed the 2-point conversion attempt, and found themselves still trailing 24-22 with 14:47 remaining in the game.
Albany would punt on its next drive, and Nashville took over on its own 44. The Kats were forced to punt, but Albany's Jimmy Loggeman would fumble the return, and Nashville's Kirk Guthrie recovered at the Firebirds 20-yard line. However, Albany would get the ball back on an Austin Carle interception returned to his own 17-yard line. The Firebirds would punt again, and the Kats looked to get into scoring range again, but Brickhouse fumbled and Firebirds LB Stanford Barbee recovered at the Albany 27-yard line. The Firebirds would attempt to run out the clock and put the game away, but Fowler fumbled at the Nashville 39, and S Lee Roy Jarrod recovered for the Kats with 2:31 remaining. The Kats could not convert on fourth down at their own 46, and after burning their timeouts, could not move fast enough down the field following an Albany punt.
Albany (1-1) gained 352 yards of total offense. The Firebirds gained 123 yards rushing, Fowler leading with 66 yards on 9 carries, with 2 TD. Gargaro ran 8 times for 33 yards and a TD. Gargaro went 20-for-34 passing for 246 yards and 1 INT. He was sacked twice, losing 17 yards. Garry Farr caught 4 passes for 86 yards. Tico Ponder caught 4 passes for 32 yards. Next week, the Firebirds open their home slate against the Tampa Bay Storm.
Nashville (0-2) gained 333 yards of total offense. The Kats gained 102 yards rushing, with Osler leading with 52 yards on 15 carries with a TD. He also led the team with 4 receptions for 56 yards.
Brickhouse ran the ball 5 times for 22 yards and a TD. He also went 17-for-27 passing for 247 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked twice, losing 16 yards. Falk caught 3 passes for 59 yards and a TD. The Kats go on the road next week to face the Grand Rapids Rampage.
Monday, July 25, 2016
AFL: Predators Beat Rampage in OT, 27-24
ORLANDO-Abel White kicked a 49-yard field goal on the last play of regulation, and then kicked a 26-yarder in overtime to give the Orlando Predators a 27-24 victory over the Grand Rapids Rampage in Week 2 of the AFL season.
The early part of the first quarter saw the teams, more or less, struggle on offense. It wasn't until the 8:30 mark of the first quarter, when Orlando, starting from its own 1 yard line, began to sustain a drive. It all started with WR Farren Smithson gaining 14 yards on a reverse. QB DJ Haji then hit HB D.J. Giles on a pass for 15. FB Caleb Doering gained 3 on a draw. After a pass interference call gave the Predators a first down at the Rampage 43, Haji threw to Smithson, gaining 26. Giles gained 6 on a draw, but the drive appeared to stall at the Rampage 11, and Orlando set up for what appeared to be a 28-yard field goal. But the Predators called a fake, and backup QB Ramon Roden hit third-string TE Wiley Rooks for an 11-yard touchdown with 4:48 remaining in the first to give Orlando a 7-0 lead.
Grand Rapids would punt again, but caught a break when Orville Brill intercepted a Haji pass at the Orlando 34. From there, the Rampage would take six plays before Curtis Wayne connected with Joe Foss for a 7-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7 with 14:13 to go in the second quarter. Orlando would drive again only to see Haji fumble and have it recovered by Grand Rapids LB Bobby Harpole at his own 32. After that, both teams traded punts. Then, with 1:28 left, the Rampage punted to Smithson at the Predators 10-yard line. Smithson returned it 9 yards, but fumbled. Jake Yearian recovered for the Rampage, and four plays later, Wayne hit Toby Harrell on a 1-yard touchdown pass to put Grand Rapids up 14-7 with 42 seconds to go in the half.
The second half began much as the first half did, with both offenses punting the ball away. Then Harrell fumbled and the ball was recovered by Orlando's Ed Tennison and returned to the Rampage 18. Two plays later, Haji hit Leonard Irving for a 5-yard touchdown to tie the game at 14 with 5:55 remaining in the third. A Rampage scoring threat was extingushed by an interception by Denver Frakes. But the Predators were forced to punt, and Grand Rapids drove 24 yards on 5 plays, with George Tibbs kicking a 46-yard field goal with 14:17 remaining in the game to take a 17-14 lead.
A 52-yard return by RW Warden on the ensuing kickoff placed Orlando on the Grand Rapids 46. Eight plays later, Haji would connect on an 8-yard touchdown pass to Gene Crosby to give the Predators a 21-17 lead 10:32 to go in the game. After a 36-yard return by Hudie Naylor gave Grand Rapids the ball on the Orlando 45, the Rampage would take six plays before Bobo Cushing ran it in from the 5 to give the Rampage a 24-21 lead with 7:35 remaining. Both teams would trade punts, and Orlando would find itself at its own 33 with 1:11 left. Haji hit RW Courier for a yard, then called timeout with 1:04 remaining. Haji was forced out of the pocket and scrambled out of bounds for no gain with 54 seconds left. A pass intended for Giles fell incomplete with 46 seconds left. With no choice but to go for it, Haji made a completion to Giles for 12 yards and a first at their own 46. The Predators called their second timeout with 39 seconds left. Haji hit Smithson for 14 and he went out of bounds at the Rampage 40 with 30 seconds left. Haji was again flushed out and gained a yard, hurried the Predators to the line and hit Steven Thompson for 7 yards to the Rampage 32 and called timeout with 2 seconds left. From there, Orlando sent out White, and he made a 49-yard field goal at the gun to tie the game at 24 and send it into overtime.
Both Orlando and Grand Rapids punted to start the overtime. Haji hoped to put an end to the game with a long pass, but Brill collected his second interception of the game and returned it to the Rampage 29. But the Rampage had to punt, and Smithson's 31-yard return, coupled with an incidental facemask penalty, gave the Predators the ball at the Grand Rapids 17. After three plays netted eight yards, White connected on a 26-yard field goal with 2:24 left in overtime to give Orlando the win.
Orlando (1-1) gained 353 yards of total offense. The Predators gained 123 yards rushing, with Giles leading with 70 yards on 14 carries. Haji went 23-for-45 passing for 242 yards, 2 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked twice, losing 23 yards. Giles was the Predators' leading receiver, with 7 catches for 63 yards. Next week, the Predators are on the road facing the Detroit Drive.
Grand Rapids (0-2) gained 262 yards of total offense. The Rampage gained 113 yards rushing, with Harrell leading the way with 45 yards on 15 carries. Cushing had 7 carries for 42 yards and a TD. Wayne was 19-for-37 passing for 201 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked six times, losing 52 yards. Foss was Grand Rapids' leading receiver, with 6 catches for 64 yards and a TD. The Rampage are home next week, entertaining the Nashville Kats.
The early part of the first quarter saw the teams, more or less, struggle on offense. It wasn't until the 8:30 mark of the first quarter, when Orlando, starting from its own 1 yard line, began to sustain a drive. It all started with WR Farren Smithson gaining 14 yards on a reverse. QB DJ Haji then hit HB D.J. Giles on a pass for 15. FB Caleb Doering gained 3 on a draw. After a pass interference call gave the Predators a first down at the Rampage 43, Haji threw to Smithson, gaining 26. Giles gained 6 on a draw, but the drive appeared to stall at the Rampage 11, and Orlando set up for what appeared to be a 28-yard field goal. But the Predators called a fake, and backup QB Ramon Roden hit third-string TE Wiley Rooks for an 11-yard touchdown with 4:48 remaining in the first to give Orlando a 7-0 lead.
Grand Rapids would punt again, but caught a break when Orville Brill intercepted a Haji pass at the Orlando 34. From there, the Rampage would take six plays before Curtis Wayne connected with Joe Foss for a 7-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7 with 14:13 to go in the second quarter. Orlando would drive again only to see Haji fumble and have it recovered by Grand Rapids LB Bobby Harpole at his own 32. After that, both teams traded punts. Then, with 1:28 left, the Rampage punted to Smithson at the Predators 10-yard line. Smithson returned it 9 yards, but fumbled. Jake Yearian recovered for the Rampage, and four plays later, Wayne hit Toby Harrell on a 1-yard touchdown pass to put Grand Rapids up 14-7 with 42 seconds to go in the half.
The second half began much as the first half did, with both offenses punting the ball away. Then Harrell fumbled and the ball was recovered by Orlando's Ed Tennison and returned to the Rampage 18. Two plays later, Haji hit Leonard Irving for a 5-yard touchdown to tie the game at 14 with 5:55 remaining in the third. A Rampage scoring threat was extingushed by an interception by Denver Frakes. But the Predators were forced to punt, and Grand Rapids drove 24 yards on 5 plays, with George Tibbs kicking a 46-yard field goal with 14:17 remaining in the game to take a 17-14 lead.
A 52-yard return by RW Warden on the ensuing kickoff placed Orlando on the Grand Rapids 46. Eight plays later, Haji would connect on an 8-yard touchdown pass to Gene Crosby to give the Predators a 21-17 lead 10:32 to go in the game. After a 36-yard return by Hudie Naylor gave Grand Rapids the ball on the Orlando 45, the Rampage would take six plays before Bobo Cushing ran it in from the 5 to give the Rampage a 24-21 lead with 7:35 remaining. Both teams would trade punts, and Orlando would find itself at its own 33 with 1:11 left. Haji hit RW Courier for a yard, then called timeout with 1:04 remaining. Haji was forced out of the pocket and scrambled out of bounds for no gain with 54 seconds left. A pass intended for Giles fell incomplete with 46 seconds left. With no choice but to go for it, Haji made a completion to Giles for 12 yards and a first at their own 46. The Predators called their second timeout with 39 seconds left. Haji hit Smithson for 14 and he went out of bounds at the Rampage 40 with 30 seconds left. Haji was again flushed out and gained a yard, hurried the Predators to the line and hit Steven Thompson for 7 yards to the Rampage 32 and called timeout with 2 seconds left. From there, Orlando sent out White, and he made a 49-yard field goal at the gun to tie the game at 24 and send it into overtime.
Both Orlando and Grand Rapids punted to start the overtime. Haji hoped to put an end to the game with a long pass, but Brill collected his second interception of the game and returned it to the Rampage 29. But the Rampage had to punt, and Smithson's 31-yard return, coupled with an incidental facemask penalty, gave the Predators the ball at the Grand Rapids 17. After three plays netted eight yards, White connected on a 26-yard field goal with 2:24 left in overtime to give Orlando the win.
Orlando (1-1) gained 353 yards of total offense. The Predators gained 123 yards rushing, with Giles leading with 70 yards on 14 carries. Haji went 23-for-45 passing for 242 yards, 2 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked twice, losing 23 yards. Giles was the Predators' leading receiver, with 7 catches for 63 yards. Next week, the Predators are on the road facing the Detroit Drive.
Grand Rapids (0-2) gained 262 yards of total offense. The Rampage gained 113 yards rushing, with Harrell leading the way with 45 yards on 15 carries. Cushing had 7 carries for 42 yards and a TD. Wayne was 19-for-37 passing for 201 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked six times, losing 52 yards. Foss was Grand Rapids' leading receiver, with 6 catches for 64 yards and a TD. The Rampage are home next week, entertaining the Nashville Kats.
Sunday, July 24, 2016
AFL: Detroit Edges Georgia, 32-29
ATLANTA-In Week 2 AFL action, the Detroit Drive scored 18 points in the fourth quarter to edge the Georgia Force, 32-29.
Detroit started the game going three-and-out, and Delbert Alonso's punt was blocked by Georgia's Wesley Evins and reutrned to the Detroit 10. The Force couldn't punch it in on the ground, and Wilbur Ahmad kicked a 23-yard field goal with 10:52 to go in the first to give Georgia a 3-0 lead. On Detroit's next drive, HB Lovell Denson fumbled, and Georgia LB Pete Love recovered at the Drive 44. Six plays later, QB Norm Damron hit TE Aaron Sidney for a 9-yard touchdown pass to put the Force up 10-0 with 5:57 left in the first quarter. Detroit would then punt again, but Drive LB T.T. Presley would recover a Clem Foulks fumble at the Georgia 16 with 1:19 remaining in the first. Four plays later, FB Rocky Adams would rush in from the 2, and the subsequent extra point got Detroit within 3 at 10-7 just seven seconds into the second quarter.
Georgia would drive 76 yards on 6 plays on the next drive, but would settle for an Ahmad field goal from 21 yards out to pull ahead 13-7 with 11:27 to go in the second. Both teams would then trade punts, and then the Drive would move the ball again, going 72 yards on 10 plays. Lou Couch put an exclamation point on the drive with a 9-yard TD pass to Patch Brolie to give Detroit a 14-13 lead with 3:00 remaining in the first half. Ahmad would miss a 42-yard field goal late in the half, and the half ended with Detroit ahead.
The Force opened the second half with possession, and drove the ball 49 yards on 11 plays, ending it with a 34-yard field goal by Ahmad to retake the lead, 16-14 with 10:46 to go in the third. Love would intercept a pass from Couch, and Georgia was in business again on its own 47. The 9-play drive would conclude with Damron and Sidney connecting for their second touchdown, this one from a yard out. The Force went for two to try to make it a 10-point lead, but failed, and the score was 22-14 Georgia with 4:50 left in the third quarter.
Detroit would take the ball on the ensuing drive, and march 73 yards on 15 plays. Couch would throw a 1-yard TD pass to WR Todd Boyce, and the Drive would make the two-point conversion to tie the game at 22 with 11:50 to go in the fourth. Georgia would go three-and-out, and Detroit's Vern Kelly would return the punt 28 yards to the Force 31. Two plays later, Denson would atone for his first-quarter fumble with a 30-yard touchdown run to put the Drive up 29-22 with 9:22 to go. On the next Georgia drive, Damron hit Paden Bonewell for a 48-yard gain, which set up a 3-yard touchdown run by Gevan Crafton on a reverse two plays later to tie the game at 29 with 7:06 remaining in the game. Detroit would subsequently drive the ball 53 yards on 9 plays, with K Cletis Frayer connecting on a 26-yard field goal with 2:56 left to go up 32-29. Georgia would punt prior to the two-minute warning, and Frayer missed a 41-yard field goal attempt to give the Force the ball at their own 31 with 57 seconds left. Georgia would get into position for Ahmad to attempt a 49-yard field goal with 10 seconds left, but he missed it, and the Drive held on for the victory.
Detroit (2-0) gained 335 yards of total offense. Denson led the Drive with 44 yards rushing on 6 carries and a TD. Adams gained 23 yards on 9 carries with a TD. Dave Huntley led Drive receivers with 7 catches for 76 yards. Brolie caught 4 passes for 46 yards and a TD. Boyce caught 2 passes for 18 yards and a TD. Couch went 24-for-31 passing for 257 yards with 2 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked 4 times, losing 22 yards. Next week, they will host the Orlando Predators.
Georgia (1-1) gained 346 yards of total offense. Foulks led the Force with 34 yards rushing on 12 carries. Sidney led Georgia with 7 receptions for 115 yards and 2 TD. Bonewell caught 6 passes for 110 yards. Damron went 26-for-36 passing for 320 yards and 2 TD. He was sacked twice, losing 20 yards. The Force travel to Long Island next week to face the New York Dragons.
Detroit started the game going three-and-out, and Delbert Alonso's punt was blocked by Georgia's Wesley Evins and reutrned to the Detroit 10. The Force couldn't punch it in on the ground, and Wilbur Ahmad kicked a 23-yard field goal with 10:52 to go in the first to give Georgia a 3-0 lead. On Detroit's next drive, HB Lovell Denson fumbled, and Georgia LB Pete Love recovered at the Drive 44. Six plays later, QB Norm Damron hit TE Aaron Sidney for a 9-yard touchdown pass to put the Force up 10-0 with 5:57 left in the first quarter. Detroit would then punt again, but Drive LB T.T. Presley would recover a Clem Foulks fumble at the Georgia 16 with 1:19 remaining in the first. Four plays later, FB Rocky Adams would rush in from the 2, and the subsequent extra point got Detroit within 3 at 10-7 just seven seconds into the second quarter.
Georgia would drive 76 yards on 6 plays on the next drive, but would settle for an Ahmad field goal from 21 yards out to pull ahead 13-7 with 11:27 to go in the second. Both teams would then trade punts, and then the Drive would move the ball again, going 72 yards on 10 plays. Lou Couch put an exclamation point on the drive with a 9-yard TD pass to Patch Brolie to give Detroit a 14-13 lead with 3:00 remaining in the first half. Ahmad would miss a 42-yard field goal late in the half, and the half ended with Detroit ahead.
The Force opened the second half with possession, and drove the ball 49 yards on 11 plays, ending it with a 34-yard field goal by Ahmad to retake the lead, 16-14 with 10:46 to go in the third. Love would intercept a pass from Couch, and Georgia was in business again on its own 47. The 9-play drive would conclude with Damron and Sidney connecting for their second touchdown, this one from a yard out. The Force went for two to try to make it a 10-point lead, but failed, and the score was 22-14 Georgia with 4:50 left in the third quarter.
Detroit would take the ball on the ensuing drive, and march 73 yards on 15 plays. Couch would throw a 1-yard TD pass to WR Todd Boyce, and the Drive would make the two-point conversion to tie the game at 22 with 11:50 to go in the fourth. Georgia would go three-and-out, and Detroit's Vern Kelly would return the punt 28 yards to the Force 31. Two plays later, Denson would atone for his first-quarter fumble with a 30-yard touchdown run to put the Drive up 29-22 with 9:22 to go. On the next Georgia drive, Damron hit Paden Bonewell for a 48-yard gain, which set up a 3-yard touchdown run by Gevan Crafton on a reverse two plays later to tie the game at 29 with 7:06 remaining in the game. Detroit would subsequently drive the ball 53 yards on 9 plays, with K Cletis Frayer connecting on a 26-yard field goal with 2:56 left to go up 32-29. Georgia would punt prior to the two-minute warning, and Frayer missed a 41-yard field goal attempt to give the Force the ball at their own 31 with 57 seconds left. Georgia would get into position for Ahmad to attempt a 49-yard field goal with 10 seconds left, but he missed it, and the Drive held on for the victory.
Detroit (2-0) gained 335 yards of total offense. Denson led the Drive with 44 yards rushing on 6 carries and a TD. Adams gained 23 yards on 9 carries with a TD. Dave Huntley led Drive receivers with 7 catches for 76 yards. Brolie caught 4 passes for 46 yards and a TD. Boyce caught 2 passes for 18 yards and a TD. Couch went 24-for-31 passing for 257 yards with 2 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked 4 times, losing 22 yards. Next week, they will host the Orlando Predators.
Georgia (1-1) gained 346 yards of total offense. Foulks led the Force with 34 yards rushing on 12 carries. Sidney led Georgia with 7 receptions for 115 yards and 2 TD. Bonewell caught 6 passes for 110 yards. Damron went 26-for-36 passing for 320 yards and 2 TD. He was sacked twice, losing 20 yards. The Force travel to Long Island next week to face the New York Dragons.
Saturday, July 23, 2016
AFL Week 1 Standings
AFL STANDINGS AFTER WEEK 1
| EASTERN DIVISION | W | L | T | PF | PA |
| Detroit Drive | 1 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 28 |
| New York Dragons | 1 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 17 |
| Grand Rapids Rampage | 0 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 23 |
| Albany Firebirds | 0 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 31 |
| SOUTHERN DIVISION | W | L | T | PF | PA |
| Georgia Force | 1 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 24 |
| Tampa Bay Storm | 1 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 17 |
| Orlando Predators | 0 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 20 |
| Nashville Kats | 0 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 47 |
| CENTRAL DIVISION | W | L | T | PF | PA |
| Dallas Desperados | 1 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 16 |
| Milwaukee Mustangs | 1 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 20 |
| Iowa Barnstormers | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 36 |
| Chicago Rush | 0 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 34 |
| WESTERN DIVISION | W | L | T | PF | PA |
| Los Angeles Avengers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 19 |
| San Jose Sabercats | 1 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 10 |
| Arizona Rattlers | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 30 |
| Colorado Crush | 0 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 29 |
WEEK 1 SCORES (Home team in BOLD)
Detroit 31, Albany 28
New York 23, Grand Rapids 17
Georgia 47, Nashville 24
Tampa Bay 20, Orlando 17
Dallas 36, Iowa 16
Milwaukee 34, Chicago 20
San Jose 30, Arizona 10
Los Angeles 27, Colorado 19
WEEK 2 GAMES
Detroit (1-0) at Georgia (1-0)
Grand Rapids (0-1) at Orlando (0-1)
Albany (0-1) at Nashville (0-1)
New York (1-0) at Tampa Bay (1-0)
Dallas (1-0) at San Jose (1-0)
Chicago (0-1) at Colorado (0-1)
Iowa (0-1) at Arizona (0-1)
Milwaukee (1-0) at Los Angeles (1-0)
AFL: Avengers Hold Off Crush, 27-19
LOS ANGELES-It was a tale of two halves for the Los Angeles Avengers. In the first half, they jumped to a 24-0 lead, but had to hold off a furious second-half charge by the Colorado Crush to win 27-19 in the final AFL season opener.
The game started with Los Angeles and Colorado trading punts. Then the Avengers would drive 80 yards on 9 plays, ending with a 9-yard run by FB Cameron Devlin to put Los Angeles up 7-0 with 7:46 left in the first quarter. Colorado would punt on its next possession, and Los Angeles would drive 72 yards on 9 plays, with the Avengers scoring on a 22-yard pass from Juan York to Keifer Dance to go up 14-0 with 1:14 remaining in the first.
Colorado and Los Angeles would then trade punts again, and following another Crush punt, the Avengers would drive 68 yards on 10 plays. K Carmon Grimes ended the drive with a 24-yard field goal, and the Avengers went ahead 17-0 with 6:46 left in the second quarter. The Crush would finally get a drive going, but came up short when K Earl Ginger missed a 55-yard FG attempt with 2:35 left. The Avengers would subsequently drive 55 yards on 9 plays, and put the finish on the half with a 4-yard touchdown pass from York to Chip Kindrick with 2 seconds to go to take a 24-0 lead at the half.
Colorado began the second half with a solid drive, that was only stopped by an interception by Los Angeles' Carlisle June at the Avengers 9. However, on the next play, Colorado's Eric Adcock would sack York in the end zone for a safety with 10:18 remaining in the third, making the score 24-2 in favor of the Avengers. After the free kick, the Crush would drive 62 yards on 3 plays, scoring on a 4-yard pass from Howton Thom to Gitch Wild. Colorado went for two, and failed, and the score was 24-8 Avengers with 8:38 left in the third. The teams traded punts, and after a Los Angeles punt, the Avengers' Courtney Harrelson would intercept Thom to thwart another Colorado drive late in the third. The Crush would respond in kind, however, as a sack and recovered fumble by Cordell Berle would give them the ball at their own 36. But Colorado would again fall victim to a turnover as a reception by Antony Croft was fumbled and recovered by Los Angeles' Orrin Dyre.
Early in the fourth quarter, Grimes missed a 42-yard field goal. Colorado would respond with an 8-play, 68-yard drive that ended with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Thom to Sandy Kelley. The Crush would go for two again, and made it this time, to close the gap to 24-16 with 10:42 left in the game. The Avengers drove the ball in an attempt to put the game away, but Devlin fumbled, and the Crush's Cecil Calbert recovered at the Colorado 20 to stop the drive. Colorado was forced to punt, and Los Angeles would then drive 23 yards on 7 plays. Grimes would then kick a 50-yard field goal with 2:35 left to punt the Avengers up 27-16. Colorado would go into a hurry-up offense, going 53 yards on 9 plays. Colorado decided to go for a 25-yard field goal by Ginger with 16 seconds left to make it 27-19. The Crush would then attempt an onside kick, but LA's Igor Keough would recover it to give the win for the Avengers.
Los Angeles gained 373 yards of total offense. The Avengers gained 76 yards rushing, Kindrick leading the team with 32 yards on 11 carries. Devlin scored a touchdown, gaining 14 yards on 5 carries. York went 25-for-43 for 330 yards and 2 TD. He was sacked 3 times, losing 33 yards. Dance led the Avengers with 7 catches for 96 yards and 1 TD. Ken Lavue had 7 catches for 73 yards. Kindrick caught 3 passes for 35 yards and 1 TD.
Colorado gained 317 yards of total offense. The Crush gained 70 yards rushing, with Valentine Millstone leading the team with 34 yards on 8 carries. Thom went 23-for-38 for 277 yards, 2 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked 4 times, losing 30 yards. Turk Dill led the Crush with 6 receptions for 113 yards. Wild caught 5 passes for 39 yards and a TD. Kelley caught 4 passes for 39 yards and a TD.
In a moment, the standings and a Week 2 schedule preview.
The game started with Los Angeles and Colorado trading punts. Then the Avengers would drive 80 yards on 9 plays, ending with a 9-yard run by FB Cameron Devlin to put Los Angeles up 7-0 with 7:46 left in the first quarter. Colorado would punt on its next possession, and Los Angeles would drive 72 yards on 9 plays, with the Avengers scoring on a 22-yard pass from Juan York to Keifer Dance to go up 14-0 with 1:14 remaining in the first.
Colorado and Los Angeles would then trade punts again, and following another Crush punt, the Avengers would drive 68 yards on 10 plays. K Carmon Grimes ended the drive with a 24-yard field goal, and the Avengers went ahead 17-0 with 6:46 left in the second quarter. The Crush would finally get a drive going, but came up short when K Earl Ginger missed a 55-yard FG attempt with 2:35 left. The Avengers would subsequently drive 55 yards on 9 plays, and put the finish on the half with a 4-yard touchdown pass from York to Chip Kindrick with 2 seconds to go to take a 24-0 lead at the half.
Colorado began the second half with a solid drive, that was only stopped by an interception by Los Angeles' Carlisle June at the Avengers 9. However, on the next play, Colorado's Eric Adcock would sack York in the end zone for a safety with 10:18 remaining in the third, making the score 24-2 in favor of the Avengers. After the free kick, the Crush would drive 62 yards on 3 plays, scoring on a 4-yard pass from Howton Thom to Gitch Wild. Colorado went for two, and failed, and the score was 24-8 Avengers with 8:38 left in the third. The teams traded punts, and after a Los Angeles punt, the Avengers' Courtney Harrelson would intercept Thom to thwart another Colorado drive late in the third. The Crush would respond in kind, however, as a sack and recovered fumble by Cordell Berle would give them the ball at their own 36. But Colorado would again fall victim to a turnover as a reception by Antony Croft was fumbled and recovered by Los Angeles' Orrin Dyre.
Early in the fourth quarter, Grimes missed a 42-yard field goal. Colorado would respond with an 8-play, 68-yard drive that ended with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Thom to Sandy Kelley. The Crush would go for two again, and made it this time, to close the gap to 24-16 with 10:42 left in the game. The Avengers drove the ball in an attempt to put the game away, but Devlin fumbled, and the Crush's Cecil Calbert recovered at the Colorado 20 to stop the drive. Colorado was forced to punt, and Los Angeles would then drive 23 yards on 7 plays. Grimes would then kick a 50-yard field goal with 2:35 left to punt the Avengers up 27-16. Colorado would go into a hurry-up offense, going 53 yards on 9 plays. Colorado decided to go for a 25-yard field goal by Ginger with 16 seconds left to make it 27-19. The Crush would then attempt an onside kick, but LA's Igor Keough would recover it to give the win for the Avengers.
Los Angeles gained 373 yards of total offense. The Avengers gained 76 yards rushing, Kindrick leading the team with 32 yards on 11 carries. Devlin scored a touchdown, gaining 14 yards on 5 carries. York went 25-for-43 for 330 yards and 2 TD. He was sacked 3 times, losing 33 yards. Dance led the Avengers with 7 catches for 96 yards and 1 TD. Ken Lavue had 7 catches for 73 yards. Kindrick caught 3 passes for 35 yards and 1 TD.
Colorado gained 317 yards of total offense. The Crush gained 70 yards rushing, with Valentine Millstone leading the team with 34 yards on 8 carries. Thom went 23-for-38 for 277 yards, 2 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked 4 times, losing 30 yards. Turk Dill led the Crush with 6 receptions for 113 yards. Wild caught 5 passes for 39 yards and a TD. Kelley caught 4 passes for 39 yards and a TD.
In a moment, the standings and a Week 2 schedule preview.
AFL: Sabercats Claw Past Rattlers, 30-10
PHOENIX-The San Jose Sabercats picked off Arizona's Don Fawcett three times and accumulated six sacks to defeat the Rattlers 30-10 in the AFL season opener for both teams.
San Jose started with the ball and moved downfield swiftly, but the drive was thwarted by Arizona LB Quincey Quasar's interception returned to the Arizona 21. Two plays later, Fawcett uncorked a bomb that was caught by WR Otto Pugh for a 55-yard touchdown to put the Rattlers up 7-0 with 11:11 to go in the first quarter. After the teams traded punts, San Jose moved the ball effectively, going 63 yards on 12 plays, with QB Timmy Carey hitting WR Turk Costigan for a 22-yard touchdown with 2:43 remaining in the first to tie the game at 7-7.
Arizona K Pancho Barrow missed a 50-yard field goal near the end of the first quarter, but forced the Sabercats to punt. However, on the ensuing drive, Fawcett was picked off by San Jose CB Wallace Burden, who returned it all the way to the Rattlers 3. Two plays later, HB Alan Sale punched it in to give San Jose a 14-7 lead with 11:13 remaining in the half. The teams then traded punts through much of the second quarter. Arizona would make a 10-play, 70-yard drive that ended with Barrow making a 33-yard field goal with 50 seconds to go to close the gap to 14-10. But on the ensuing kickoff, Costigan fielded a short kick and returned it all the way to the Rattlers 27-yard line. Five plays later, Sabercats K Ethan Wycoff would kick a 33-yard field goal with 5 seconds left to put San Jose up 17-10 at the half.
The second half began with the teams again trading punts. Fawcett would again be victimized by the Sabercats pass defense, as LB Rod Gaines would pick him off and return it to the Arizona 44. The interception set up another Wycoff field goal, this one from 43 yards, to put San Jose up 20-10 with 6:45 remaining in the third. Arizona would get the ball and drive down the field, but Barrow missed a chance to get the Rattlers within a touchdown when his 46-yard attempt sailed wide. Later in the third, Barrow had another chance to close the gap, but missed a 47-yard field goal.
The fourth quarter saw San Jose rely on their running game, and their pass defense to put it away. An 11-play, 67-yard drive saw Wycoff make his third field goal, a 25-yarder to put the Sabercats up 23-10 with 2:57 to go in the game. CB Russ Bird picked off a desperation pass from Fawcett, and San Jose drove 41 yards on 7 plays, ending with a Vince Saxon 13-yard run with 19 seconds left to put the exclamation point on San Jose's 30-10 victory.
Offensively, San Jose gained 257 yards of total offense. The Sabercats gained 131 yards rushing, with Sale leading the way (16 carries, 56 yards, TD). Saxon gained 40 yards on 7 carries with his TD. Carey went 16-for-31 passing with 153 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked 5 times, losing 27 yards. TE Festus Blanks led the Sabercats receivers with 6 catches for 60 yards. Costigan caught 4 passes for 47 yards and a TD.
Arizona gained 312 yards of total offense. Rushing wise, the Rattlers managed 74 yards on 18 carries, Melvin Jones led the team with 39 yards on 9 carries. Fawcett went 18-for-36 for 291 yards, 1 TD and 3 INT. He was sacked 6 times, losing 53 yards. Pugh led Arizona receivers with 5 catches for 96 yards and a TD.
San Jose started with the ball and moved downfield swiftly, but the drive was thwarted by Arizona LB Quincey Quasar's interception returned to the Arizona 21. Two plays later, Fawcett uncorked a bomb that was caught by WR Otto Pugh for a 55-yard touchdown to put the Rattlers up 7-0 with 11:11 to go in the first quarter. After the teams traded punts, San Jose moved the ball effectively, going 63 yards on 12 plays, with QB Timmy Carey hitting WR Turk Costigan for a 22-yard touchdown with 2:43 remaining in the first to tie the game at 7-7.
Arizona K Pancho Barrow missed a 50-yard field goal near the end of the first quarter, but forced the Sabercats to punt. However, on the ensuing drive, Fawcett was picked off by San Jose CB Wallace Burden, who returned it all the way to the Rattlers 3. Two plays later, HB Alan Sale punched it in to give San Jose a 14-7 lead with 11:13 remaining in the half. The teams then traded punts through much of the second quarter. Arizona would make a 10-play, 70-yard drive that ended with Barrow making a 33-yard field goal with 50 seconds to go to close the gap to 14-10. But on the ensuing kickoff, Costigan fielded a short kick and returned it all the way to the Rattlers 27-yard line. Five plays later, Sabercats K Ethan Wycoff would kick a 33-yard field goal with 5 seconds left to put San Jose up 17-10 at the half.
The second half began with the teams again trading punts. Fawcett would again be victimized by the Sabercats pass defense, as LB Rod Gaines would pick him off and return it to the Arizona 44. The interception set up another Wycoff field goal, this one from 43 yards, to put San Jose up 20-10 with 6:45 remaining in the third. Arizona would get the ball and drive down the field, but Barrow missed a chance to get the Rattlers within a touchdown when his 46-yard attempt sailed wide. Later in the third, Barrow had another chance to close the gap, but missed a 47-yard field goal.
The fourth quarter saw San Jose rely on their running game, and their pass defense to put it away. An 11-play, 67-yard drive saw Wycoff make his third field goal, a 25-yarder to put the Sabercats up 23-10 with 2:57 to go in the game. CB Russ Bird picked off a desperation pass from Fawcett, and San Jose drove 41 yards on 7 plays, ending with a Vince Saxon 13-yard run with 19 seconds left to put the exclamation point on San Jose's 30-10 victory.
Offensively, San Jose gained 257 yards of total offense. The Sabercats gained 131 yards rushing, with Sale leading the way (16 carries, 56 yards, TD). Saxon gained 40 yards on 7 carries with his TD. Carey went 16-for-31 passing with 153 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked 5 times, losing 27 yards. TE Festus Blanks led the Sabercats receivers with 6 catches for 60 yards. Costigan caught 4 passes for 47 yards and a TD.
Arizona gained 312 yards of total offense. Rushing wise, the Rattlers managed 74 yards on 18 carries, Melvin Jones led the team with 39 yards on 9 carries. Fawcett went 18-for-36 for 291 yards, 1 TD and 3 INT. He was sacked 6 times, losing 53 yards. Pugh led Arizona receivers with 5 catches for 96 yards and a TD.
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
AFL: Cage, Mustangs "Catch-and-Carry" Way Past Rush, 34-20
ROSEMONT, IL-C.C. Cage caught three touchdown passes to help the Milwaukee Mustangs gallop past the Chicago Rush, 34-20 in their AFL season opener.
Milwaukee was forced to punt on its inital possession, but a pinpoint coffin corner kick placed the ball on the Rush's own 5 yard line. On Chicago's first offensive play, QB Arman Drummond was sacked in the end zone by Mustangs DE Cecil Hyde for a safety and a 2-0 Milwaukee lead with 10:18 to go in the first quarter. After Milwaukee was forced to punt again, Chicago drove 37 yards on 4 plays, with Dete Justin kicking a 39-yard field goal with 6:05 left in the first to take a 3-2 lead.
Milwaukee punted again, and the Rush drove 78 yards on 9 plays, ending it with a 2-yard touchdown run by FB Ward Despain to extend the Rush lead to 10-2 with 14:14 left in the second quarter. The teams then traded punts, then the Mustangs moved the ball 59 yards on 9 plays, and QB JC George connected with Cage for an 18-yard touchdown. Milwaukee went for two and made it, to tie the game at 10-10 with 5:21 remaining in the half. Chicago punted on its next possession, and the Mustangs moved down the field again, going 69 yards on 8 plays. K Rock Philbrook made a 27-yard field goal with 46 seconds left to go up 13-10. Chicago quickly moved down the field and had a chance to tie with a Justin 40-yard attempt with 5 seconds remaining. The kick went wide, and the half ended.
The Mustangs got a big break to start the third quarter, and took advantage when George hit Cage for a 6-yard touchdown to put Milwaukee up 20-10 barely a minute into the third quarter. The Rush would respond, and Justin would connect on a 51-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 20-13 with 12:14 to go in the third. Milwaukee responded with a quick drive of their own, however, as George connected with HB Chester Brice for a 25-yard touchdown pass with 10:20 to go in the third to make it 27-13, Mustangs. The Rush would respond with a 7-play, 67-yard drive that culminated with a Despain touchdown run from the 1 to make it 27-20 with 6:41 remaining in the third. After both teams traded punts, Milwaukee scored again with another George-to-Cage connection, this one from 23 yards to make it 34-20 with 48 seconds left in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter was fairly uneventful, save for three different attempts by the Rush to make a fourth down conversion, and failing, and a blocked field goal by the Mustangs that Philbrook fell on at the Chicago 24.
Milwaukee gained 384 yards of total offense. The Mustangs gained 99 yards rushing, led by Brice's 51 yards on 10 carries. George went 21-for-28 for 300 yards and 4 TD. He was sacked 5 times, losing 40 yards. Cage was the Mustangs' leading receiver, catching 6 passes for 125 yards and 3 TD. Brice's TD reception was one of five catches he caught for 55 yards.
Chicago gained 361 yards of total offense. The Rush gained 132 rushing yards, with Lonnie Clements gaining 81 yards on 12 carries. Despain had 3 carries for 2 yards and 2 TD. Drummond went 25-for-39 for 267 yards. He was sacked 6 times, losing 38 yards. Marty Margerum was Chicago's leading receiver, catching 6 passes for 46 yards.
Milwaukee was forced to punt on its inital possession, but a pinpoint coffin corner kick placed the ball on the Rush's own 5 yard line. On Chicago's first offensive play, QB Arman Drummond was sacked in the end zone by Mustangs DE Cecil Hyde for a safety and a 2-0 Milwaukee lead with 10:18 to go in the first quarter. After Milwaukee was forced to punt again, Chicago drove 37 yards on 4 plays, with Dete Justin kicking a 39-yard field goal with 6:05 left in the first to take a 3-2 lead.
Milwaukee punted again, and the Rush drove 78 yards on 9 plays, ending it with a 2-yard touchdown run by FB Ward Despain to extend the Rush lead to 10-2 with 14:14 left in the second quarter. The teams then traded punts, then the Mustangs moved the ball 59 yards on 9 plays, and QB JC George connected with Cage for an 18-yard touchdown. Milwaukee went for two and made it, to tie the game at 10-10 with 5:21 remaining in the half. Chicago punted on its next possession, and the Mustangs moved down the field again, going 69 yards on 8 plays. K Rock Philbrook made a 27-yard field goal with 46 seconds left to go up 13-10. Chicago quickly moved down the field and had a chance to tie with a Justin 40-yard attempt with 5 seconds remaining. The kick went wide, and the half ended.
The Mustangs got a big break to start the third quarter, and took advantage when George hit Cage for a 6-yard touchdown to put Milwaukee up 20-10 barely a minute into the third quarter. The Rush would respond, and Justin would connect on a 51-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 20-13 with 12:14 to go in the third. Milwaukee responded with a quick drive of their own, however, as George connected with HB Chester Brice for a 25-yard touchdown pass with 10:20 to go in the third to make it 27-13, Mustangs. The Rush would respond with a 7-play, 67-yard drive that culminated with a Despain touchdown run from the 1 to make it 27-20 with 6:41 remaining in the third. After both teams traded punts, Milwaukee scored again with another George-to-Cage connection, this one from 23 yards to make it 34-20 with 48 seconds left in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter was fairly uneventful, save for three different attempts by the Rush to make a fourth down conversion, and failing, and a blocked field goal by the Mustangs that Philbrook fell on at the Chicago 24.
Milwaukee gained 384 yards of total offense. The Mustangs gained 99 yards rushing, led by Brice's 51 yards on 10 carries. George went 21-for-28 for 300 yards and 4 TD. He was sacked 5 times, losing 40 yards. Cage was the Mustangs' leading receiver, catching 6 passes for 125 yards and 3 TD. Brice's TD reception was one of five catches he caught for 55 yards.
Chicago gained 361 yards of total offense. The Rush gained 132 rushing yards, with Lonnie Clements gaining 81 yards on 12 carries. Despain had 3 carries for 2 yards and 2 TD. Drummond went 25-for-39 for 267 yards. He was sacked 6 times, losing 38 yards. Marty Margerum was Chicago's leading receiver, catching 6 passes for 46 yards.
AFL: Desperados Shoot Down Barnstormers, 36-16
DALLAS-The Dallas Desperados scored 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to pull away from the Iowa Barnstormers 36-16 in the AFL season opener for both teams.
The Barnstormers got the ball rolling in the first quarter. A 10-play, 38-yard drive ended with K SB Rhoads kicking a 41-yard field goal with 10:43 left in the first quarter to take a 3-0 lead. After both teams exchanged punts, Dallas drove 57 yards on 7 plays, ending with FB Helmut Briley scoring on a 3-yard run with 41 seconds left to give the Desperados a 7-3 lead. However, Iowa's Corben Marvell would take the ensuing kickoff and return it 88 yards for a touchdown to regain the lead for the Barnstormers, 10-7 with 24 seconds remaining in the first.
The second quarter saw both teams exchange punts, and then Dallas embarked on a long, time-consuming drive that went 80 yards on 17 plays. The seven-and-a-half minute drive finally ended with QB Heinie Voorhees hitting WR Clem Shaffer for a 3-yard TD pass with 3:33 left in the half to put the Desperados up 14-10. Diron Imboden put the kibosh on an Iowa scoring threat with an interception, and the half would end with the Desperados in front.
In the third quarter, Dallas was pinned deep in their own territory and forced to punt. Both teams would subsequently trade interceptions and ultimately, Iowa sent Rhoads to attempt a 50-yard field goal with 11:05 left in the third, the kick was partially blocked by Dallas' Jose Moore and resulted in a miss. From there, the Desperados would drive 60 yards on 10 plays, culminating in a 7-yard pass from Voorhees to HB Horace Evers to extend Dallas's lead to 21-10 with 6:07 to go in the third. Iowa would punt on its next possession, but get an interception by LB Emilio Shipp to get back in business at their own 30. However, they were forced to punt again. But, Iowa DT Nigel Tuck sacked Voorhees and forced a fumble recovered by CB Brandon Perkey at the Dallas 28 with 1:16 remaining in the third. The Barnstormers managed to drive it to the 2, and faced with a fourth-and-goal early in the fourth sent Rhoads to attempt a chip-shot 19-yard field goal. But the kick was blocked by Dallas's Grant Frederick and returned to the 18 yard line.
Dallas attempted to go for the jugular at that point, but Iowa LB Seth Waltrip picked off the pass at the Desperados' 37, and the Barnstormers would later score on a 10-yard pass from Ev Blansett to Caleb Whitlock. The Barnstormers went for two, and failed, making it 21-16 in favor of Dallas with 12:04 remaining in the game. Dallas would drive 68 yards on 10 plays, scoring on a 24-yard field goal by Greg Hall to put the Desperados up 24-16 with 8:06 remaining. LB Ardell Edmonds picked off a Blansett pass and returned it to the Barnstormers' 3 yard line, and after three plays lost five yards, Hall kicked another field goal, this one from 25 yards to make it 27-16 with 5:07 to go. An illegal block penalty and a false start would stick Iowa at its own 6, and a Moore sack would register a safety that made 29-16 Desperados with 4:45 left. After the safety punt, Dallas would drive 66 yards on 12 plays, with Voorhees putting the exclamation point on the game with a 7-yard QB keeper to make the score 36-16 with 45 seconds left.
Dallas gained 446 yards of total offense. They ran the ball 36 times for 185 yards, Elson Gregson led the way with 120 yards on 19 carries. Voorhees gained 49 yards on 12 carries for a TD. Briley gained 16 yards on 3 carries for a TD. Voorhees went 25-for-45 for 270 yards, with 2 TD and 3 INT, and was sacked once for a 9 yard loss. Shaffer was the leading receiver, with 5 catches for 83 yards and a TD.
The Barnstormers were held to 227 yards of total offense. The running game was nonexistent, gaining only 15 yards on 11 carries. Powell Ramos was the main running "threat", gaining 12 yards on 5 carries. Blansett went 20-for-38 passing for 227 yards with 1 TD and 3 INT. He was also sacked three times, losing 15 yards. Whitlock was the leading receiver, with 4 catches for 71 yards and a TD.
The Barnstormers got the ball rolling in the first quarter. A 10-play, 38-yard drive ended with K SB Rhoads kicking a 41-yard field goal with 10:43 left in the first quarter to take a 3-0 lead. After both teams exchanged punts, Dallas drove 57 yards on 7 plays, ending with FB Helmut Briley scoring on a 3-yard run with 41 seconds left to give the Desperados a 7-3 lead. However, Iowa's Corben Marvell would take the ensuing kickoff and return it 88 yards for a touchdown to regain the lead for the Barnstormers, 10-7 with 24 seconds remaining in the first.
The second quarter saw both teams exchange punts, and then Dallas embarked on a long, time-consuming drive that went 80 yards on 17 plays. The seven-and-a-half minute drive finally ended with QB Heinie Voorhees hitting WR Clem Shaffer for a 3-yard TD pass with 3:33 left in the half to put the Desperados up 14-10. Diron Imboden put the kibosh on an Iowa scoring threat with an interception, and the half would end with the Desperados in front.
In the third quarter, Dallas was pinned deep in their own territory and forced to punt. Both teams would subsequently trade interceptions and ultimately, Iowa sent Rhoads to attempt a 50-yard field goal with 11:05 left in the third, the kick was partially blocked by Dallas' Jose Moore and resulted in a miss. From there, the Desperados would drive 60 yards on 10 plays, culminating in a 7-yard pass from Voorhees to HB Horace Evers to extend Dallas's lead to 21-10 with 6:07 to go in the third. Iowa would punt on its next possession, but get an interception by LB Emilio Shipp to get back in business at their own 30. However, they were forced to punt again. But, Iowa DT Nigel Tuck sacked Voorhees and forced a fumble recovered by CB Brandon Perkey at the Dallas 28 with 1:16 remaining in the third. The Barnstormers managed to drive it to the 2, and faced with a fourth-and-goal early in the fourth sent Rhoads to attempt a chip-shot 19-yard field goal. But the kick was blocked by Dallas's Grant Frederick and returned to the 18 yard line.
Dallas attempted to go for the jugular at that point, but Iowa LB Seth Waltrip picked off the pass at the Desperados' 37, and the Barnstormers would later score on a 10-yard pass from Ev Blansett to Caleb Whitlock. The Barnstormers went for two, and failed, making it 21-16 in favor of Dallas with 12:04 remaining in the game. Dallas would drive 68 yards on 10 plays, scoring on a 24-yard field goal by Greg Hall to put the Desperados up 24-16 with 8:06 remaining. LB Ardell Edmonds picked off a Blansett pass and returned it to the Barnstormers' 3 yard line, and after three plays lost five yards, Hall kicked another field goal, this one from 25 yards to make it 27-16 with 5:07 to go. An illegal block penalty and a false start would stick Iowa at its own 6, and a Moore sack would register a safety that made 29-16 Desperados with 4:45 left. After the safety punt, Dallas would drive 66 yards on 12 plays, with Voorhees putting the exclamation point on the game with a 7-yard QB keeper to make the score 36-16 with 45 seconds left.
Dallas gained 446 yards of total offense. They ran the ball 36 times for 185 yards, Elson Gregson led the way with 120 yards on 19 carries. Voorhees gained 49 yards on 12 carries for a TD. Briley gained 16 yards on 3 carries for a TD. Voorhees went 25-for-45 for 270 yards, with 2 TD and 3 INT, and was sacked once for a 9 yard loss. Shaffer was the leading receiver, with 5 catches for 83 yards and a TD.
The Barnstormers were held to 227 yards of total offense. The running game was nonexistent, gaining only 15 yards on 11 carries. Powell Ramos was the main running "threat", gaining 12 yards on 5 carries. Blansett went 20-for-38 passing for 227 yards with 1 TD and 3 INT. He was also sacked three times, losing 15 yards. Whitlock was the leading receiver, with 4 catches for 71 yards and a TD.
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
AFL: Tampa Bay Wins First "War on I-4", 20-17 Over Orlando
TAMPA-Johnny Quincey kicked a 28-yard field goal at the 2-minute warning and the Tampa Bay Storm held off a furious Orlando Predators charge to hang on for a 20-17 victory in the inaugural "War on I-4" game.
Not much of note happened in the first quarter. Tampa Bay opened with a punt, and Orlando K Abel White missed a 47-yard field goal. Both teams traded punts in their next possessions. The Storm would punt again to open the second quarter. Orlando would then suffer a sack by Storm DE Mitch Fixx, and then get picked off by LB Blue Hanan who returned it to the Orlando 2. On the next play, WR Hack Jarrod scored on a reverse from the 2 to give the Storm a 7-0 with 14:09 left in the second quarter.
Orlando was quick to respond, however. The Predators drove 67 yards on 8 plays, with HB D.J. Giles scoring on a 1-yard run to tie the game at 7-7 with 10:38 remaining in the half. The Storm would strike back with a 10-play, 65-yard drive culminating with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Orval Stanley to Greg Ponder to give Tampa Bay a 14-7 lead with 6:12 left in the half. The next drive saw the Predators go 80 yards on 10 plays, with HB Labe Felts scoring on a 3-yard run to even the score at 14-14 with 1:58 remaining in the half. Tampa Bay would finish the half moving quickly in position for Quincey to kick a 33-yard field goal with 5 seconds left to go up 17-14 at the half.
The second half was a struggle for both sides. The Predators opened the third with a 9-play, 38-yard drive that resulting in White kicking a 49-yard field goal with 12:25 left in the third to tie the game at 17-17. Tampa Bay punted on the ensuing possession. Orlando was on the verge of taking the lead, but Trent Josephs' sack of DJ Haji caused a fumble that was recovered by Hanan at the Tampa Bay 15.
Tampa would punt again early in the fourth. And the teams traded punts again. With 4:53 remaining in regulation, Orlando P Yannel Fletcher had his punt attempt blocked, and Storm DT Charley Voorhees recovered it at the Predators' 46. Seven plays later, Quincey kicked a 28-yard field goal to take a 20-17 lead with 2 minutes to go. Orlando WR RW Warden returned the ensuing kickoff to his own 29 with 1:52 left. Haji's first pass was incomplete. Then he hit Giles for 16. Giles lost a yard on a sweep attempt. Haji then hit Felts for 11 and called timeout with 58 seconds left. Haji then hit Leonard Irving for a 6-yard gain and called time with 48 seconds left. Haji then hit Caleb Doering for 11 and Giles ran for a 3-yard gain. Haji then hurried the Predators and snapped the ball from the Tampa Bay 25 with 13 seconds left. Haji dropped back to pass but was sacked by Hanan as time ran out.
Tampa Bay gained 203 yards of total offense. Jarrod gained 28 yards on 3 carries, for a touchdown. Ponder scored a touchdown with 3 receptions for 25 yards. Stanley went 17-for-26 with 128 yards and a touchdown. He was sacked twice losing 15 yards.
Orlando gained 327 yards of total offense. D.J. Giles gained 34 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown. Felts carried 9 times for 27 yards and a touchdown. Doering was Orlando's leading receiver with 9 catches for 144 yards. Haji was 25-for-41 with 307 yards and an interception. He was sacked five times, losing 51 yards.
Not much of note happened in the first quarter. Tampa Bay opened with a punt, and Orlando K Abel White missed a 47-yard field goal. Both teams traded punts in their next possessions. The Storm would punt again to open the second quarter. Orlando would then suffer a sack by Storm DE Mitch Fixx, and then get picked off by LB Blue Hanan who returned it to the Orlando 2. On the next play, WR Hack Jarrod scored on a reverse from the 2 to give the Storm a 7-0 with 14:09 left in the second quarter.
Orlando was quick to respond, however. The Predators drove 67 yards on 8 plays, with HB D.J. Giles scoring on a 1-yard run to tie the game at 7-7 with 10:38 remaining in the half. The Storm would strike back with a 10-play, 65-yard drive culminating with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Orval Stanley to Greg Ponder to give Tampa Bay a 14-7 lead with 6:12 left in the half. The next drive saw the Predators go 80 yards on 10 plays, with HB Labe Felts scoring on a 3-yard run to even the score at 14-14 with 1:58 remaining in the half. Tampa Bay would finish the half moving quickly in position for Quincey to kick a 33-yard field goal with 5 seconds left to go up 17-14 at the half.
The second half was a struggle for both sides. The Predators opened the third with a 9-play, 38-yard drive that resulting in White kicking a 49-yard field goal with 12:25 left in the third to tie the game at 17-17. Tampa Bay punted on the ensuing possession. Orlando was on the verge of taking the lead, but Trent Josephs' sack of DJ Haji caused a fumble that was recovered by Hanan at the Tampa Bay 15.
Tampa would punt again early in the fourth. And the teams traded punts again. With 4:53 remaining in regulation, Orlando P Yannel Fletcher had his punt attempt blocked, and Storm DT Charley Voorhees recovered it at the Predators' 46. Seven plays later, Quincey kicked a 28-yard field goal to take a 20-17 lead with 2 minutes to go. Orlando WR RW Warden returned the ensuing kickoff to his own 29 with 1:52 left. Haji's first pass was incomplete. Then he hit Giles for 16. Giles lost a yard on a sweep attempt. Haji then hit Felts for 11 and called timeout with 58 seconds left. Haji then hit Leonard Irving for a 6-yard gain and called time with 48 seconds left. Haji then hit Caleb Doering for 11 and Giles ran for a 3-yard gain. Haji then hurried the Predators and snapped the ball from the Tampa Bay 25 with 13 seconds left. Haji dropped back to pass but was sacked by Hanan as time ran out.
Tampa Bay gained 203 yards of total offense. Jarrod gained 28 yards on 3 carries, for a touchdown. Ponder scored a touchdown with 3 receptions for 25 yards. Stanley went 17-for-26 with 128 yards and a touchdown. He was sacked twice losing 15 yards.
Orlando gained 327 yards of total offense. D.J. Giles gained 34 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown. Felts carried 9 times for 27 yards and a touchdown. Doering was Orlando's leading receiver with 9 catches for 144 yards. Haji was 25-for-41 with 307 yards and an interception. He was sacked five times, losing 51 yards.
AFL: Georgia Runs Through Nashville, 47-24
NASHVILLE-The Georgia Force were not expected to feature the running game, and the Nashville Kats were thought to be a run more team. But the script was flipped, and Georgia gained 210 yards rushing on 39 carries to beat the Kats 47-24 in their AFL season opener.
Nashville punted on its first possession, and the Force would drive 43 yards on seven plays, before being stopped at the Nashville 5 yard line. K Wilbur Ahmad would connect on a 22-yard field goal to give the Force a 3-0 lead with 9:52 left in the first quarter. On the following possession, Nashville would drive 80 yards on 9 plays, mixing up run and pass well, culminating in an 11-yard touchdown run by HB Oliver Osler to put the Kats up 7-3 at the 4:34 mark of the first quarter. Georgia would respond in kind, with a 10-play, 69-yard drive that ended with QB Norm Damron connecting with WR Paden Bonewell for a 12-yard touchdown with 52 seconds left in the first to put Georgia up 10-7.
Nashville would open the second quarter with a 5-play, 57-yard drive which ended with QB Brewster Brickhouse scrambling 17 yards for a touchdown with 13:27 remaining in the second to put the Kats up 14-10. The Force went three-and-out on their next possession, but caught a break when Brickhouse appeared to get greedy and Sputnik Havner came down with the interception. Three plays later, Damron uncorked a 47-yard bomb to TE Aaron Sidney and Georgia retook the lead, 17-14 with 9:21 left in the half. Nashville would try to come back but missed a 52-yard field goal attempt by Daniel Stevenson. Georgia would subsequently drive down from their own 42 to the Nashville 1, where they faced a fourth-and-goal. The Force would go for it, and HB Clem Foulks would power it in off tackle right to put Georgia up 24-14 with 2:15 to go in the half. Nashville's two-minute would quickly move the Kats down the field and set up Stevenson to kick a 31-yard field goal on the last play of the half and the score was Georgia 24, Nashville 17.
At the start of the second half, Nashville caught a break when a roughing the kicker penalty on a punt extended their drive. The Kats marched 74 yards on 9 plays, with Brickhouse hitting WR Cobey Kingston on a 9-yard TD pass. The extra point made it 24-24 with 12:08 left in the third. But from that point on, The Force took over the game. A 10-play, 64-yard drive ended with Damron hitting WR Gevan Crafton on a 7-yard TD pass. The extra point was missed, and Georgia was only up 30-24 with 6:43 remaining in the third. Nashville would go three-and-out, and Georgia would again face a fourth-and-goal from the 1 late in the third quarter. This time, HB Walter Halley would sweep around the left side and put the exclamation point on an 11-play, 57 yard drive. Ahmad would make the extra point, and Georgia was up 37-24 with 23 seconds left in the third quarter.
Nashville would punt to start the fourth quarter, and Georgia would slowly work their way down the field, twice being aided by fourth down penalties that gave the Force first downs, setting up a 31-yard field goal by Ahmad to go up 40-24 with 7:10 left in the game. After the Kats failed on fourth down, the Force would run a 10-play, 70-yard drive that ended with Foulks running it in from 2 yards out to make it 47-24 with 1:11 remaining.
Georgia gained 471 yards of total offense. As mentioned in the beginning, they gained 210 yards rushing on 39 carries. Foulks led the team with 90 yards on 19 carries with 2 TD. Halley carried the ball 14 times for 78 yards for a TD. Bonewell caught 6 passes for 52 yards and a TD. Damron was efficient, going 21-for-31 for 261 yards and 3 TDs and was not sacked.
Nashville gained 396 yards of total offense. The Kats gained 83 yards on 13 carries, with Osler gained 60 yards on 9 carries for a TD. Isaiah Falk was the Kats' leading receiver, catching 8 passes for 116 yards. Kingston caught 3 passes for 31 yards and a TD. Brickhouse went 30-for-47 for 332 yards, 1 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked twice, losing 19 yards.
Nashville punted on its first possession, and the Force would drive 43 yards on seven plays, before being stopped at the Nashville 5 yard line. K Wilbur Ahmad would connect on a 22-yard field goal to give the Force a 3-0 lead with 9:52 left in the first quarter. On the following possession, Nashville would drive 80 yards on 9 plays, mixing up run and pass well, culminating in an 11-yard touchdown run by HB Oliver Osler to put the Kats up 7-3 at the 4:34 mark of the first quarter. Georgia would respond in kind, with a 10-play, 69-yard drive that ended with QB Norm Damron connecting with WR Paden Bonewell for a 12-yard touchdown with 52 seconds left in the first to put Georgia up 10-7.
Nashville would open the second quarter with a 5-play, 57-yard drive which ended with QB Brewster Brickhouse scrambling 17 yards for a touchdown with 13:27 remaining in the second to put the Kats up 14-10. The Force went three-and-out on their next possession, but caught a break when Brickhouse appeared to get greedy and Sputnik Havner came down with the interception. Three plays later, Damron uncorked a 47-yard bomb to TE Aaron Sidney and Georgia retook the lead, 17-14 with 9:21 left in the half. Nashville would try to come back but missed a 52-yard field goal attempt by Daniel Stevenson. Georgia would subsequently drive down from their own 42 to the Nashville 1, where they faced a fourth-and-goal. The Force would go for it, and HB Clem Foulks would power it in off tackle right to put Georgia up 24-14 with 2:15 to go in the half. Nashville's two-minute would quickly move the Kats down the field and set up Stevenson to kick a 31-yard field goal on the last play of the half and the score was Georgia 24, Nashville 17.
At the start of the second half, Nashville caught a break when a roughing the kicker penalty on a punt extended their drive. The Kats marched 74 yards on 9 plays, with Brickhouse hitting WR Cobey Kingston on a 9-yard TD pass. The extra point made it 24-24 with 12:08 left in the third. But from that point on, The Force took over the game. A 10-play, 64-yard drive ended with Damron hitting WR Gevan Crafton on a 7-yard TD pass. The extra point was missed, and Georgia was only up 30-24 with 6:43 remaining in the third. Nashville would go three-and-out, and Georgia would again face a fourth-and-goal from the 1 late in the third quarter. This time, HB Walter Halley would sweep around the left side and put the exclamation point on an 11-play, 57 yard drive. Ahmad would make the extra point, and Georgia was up 37-24 with 23 seconds left in the third quarter.
Nashville would punt to start the fourth quarter, and Georgia would slowly work their way down the field, twice being aided by fourth down penalties that gave the Force first downs, setting up a 31-yard field goal by Ahmad to go up 40-24 with 7:10 left in the game. After the Kats failed on fourth down, the Force would run a 10-play, 70-yard drive that ended with Foulks running it in from 2 yards out to make it 47-24 with 1:11 remaining.
Georgia gained 471 yards of total offense. As mentioned in the beginning, they gained 210 yards rushing on 39 carries. Foulks led the team with 90 yards on 19 carries with 2 TD. Halley carried the ball 14 times for 78 yards for a TD. Bonewell caught 6 passes for 52 yards and a TD. Damron was efficient, going 21-for-31 for 261 yards and 3 TDs and was not sacked.
Nashville gained 396 yards of total offense. The Kats gained 83 yards on 13 carries, with Osler gained 60 yards on 9 carries for a TD. Isaiah Falk was the Kats' leading receiver, catching 8 passes for 116 yards. Kingston caught 3 passes for 31 yards and a TD. Brickhouse went 30-for-47 for 332 yards, 1 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked twice, losing 19 yards.
Saturday, July 16, 2016
AFL: Dragons Snuff Out Rampage, 23-17
GRAND RAPIDS-It was not a spectacular offensive display, but the New York Dragons pulled out just enough to defeat the Grand Rapids Rampage, 23-17 in both teams' AFL season opener.
After Grand Rapids was forced to punt on its opening possession, the Dragons would slowly work their way down the field, going 54 yards on 11 plays, culminating with a 4-yard touchdown pass from QB Faron Emerson to HB Freddy Ashercraft to give New York a 7-0 lead with 6:58 remaining in the first quarter.
Both teams would trade punts later in the first quarter. The Rampage then drove 50 yards on 9 plays, with FB Bobo Cushing scoring on a 3-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7 with 11:47 left in the second quarter. A bad snap on a punt attempt by the Dragons gave Grand Rapids great field position in New York territory, only for the Rampage to squander it on a Dusty Mills pick of a Curtis Wayne pass. But Grand Rapids would redeem themselves when Emerson fumbled the snap and DE Marvin Tyles would recover it for the Rampage at the Dragons 5. Three plays later, Wayne would hit TE Bud Tyrer from 10 yards out to put the Rampage up 14-7 with 8:03 to go in the half. New York's defense would rise up, however, as S Omar Wheeley picked off a Wayne pass and ran 33 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 14-14 with 4:33 remaining. Grand Rapids fumbled the ensuing kickoff, but then LB Bobby Harpole intercepted an Emerson pass and the Rampage would get into position to attempt a 52-yard field goal with 1:30 left in the half, but George Tibbs missed it. The Dragons would subsequently drive down to give their kicker, Burt Hamrick, a chance to kick a 37-yarder with 30 seconds left to give New York a 17-14 lead at intermission.
The third quarter was a defensive struggle with the only scoring coming on a Hamrick 48-yard field goal to make it 20-14 Dragons with 2:50 remaining in the third. Hamrick would add another field goal from 42 yards to make it 23-14 with 12:19 to go in the fourth. Once again, Grand Rapids would fumble away the ensuing kickoff, but CB Orville Brill would intercept Emerson to keep New York from adding to the lead.
With 11:15 remaining, Grand Rapids had the ball at their own 18-yard line. Wayne hit Tyrer for a 33-yard gain. Then Wayne threw to Cushing for 11. Four plays later, on a 3rd-and-12, Wayne hit Tyrer again, this time for 26 yards to the Dragons 14. After a 1-yard loss by HB Hudie Naylor, a 10-yard pass to Tyrer, and an incomplete pass to WR Joe Foss in the end zone, the Rampage were faced with a 4th-and-1 from the Dragons 5. Tibbs would kick a 22-yard field goal to cut the Dragons lead to 23-17 with 7:02 left. After a Dragons punt, Grand Rapids would try to score the touchdown but were stopped cold at the New York 25 with 2:09 remaining. The Rampage got one more possession from their own 29 with 44 seconds left, but with no time outs, couldn't move nearly fast enough.
Offensively, New York only gained 186 yards of total offense. The running game yielded 111 yards of that offense, with Ashercraft leading the way (53 yards on 14 carries) and scoring the Dragons lone offensive touchdown as a receiver (4 rec, 10 yds, TD). Emerson was 15-for-30 passing for 90 yards, 1 TD and 2 picks, and was sacked twice, losing 15 yards. WR Elvis Darnell caught 4 passes for 62 yards.
Grand Rapids gained 259 yards of total offense. Curtis Wayne was the Rampage's leading rusher, with 24 yards on 7 carries, and Cushing had 6 carries for 13 yards and a touchdown. Tyrer was the leading receiver for Grand Rapids, making 5 catches for 89 yards and a touchdown. As a passer, Wayne went 19-for-42 for 207 yards, 1 TD and 2 picks. He was sacked twice, losing 16 yards. Grand Rapids also had five turnovers in the game, compared to three for New York.
After Grand Rapids was forced to punt on its opening possession, the Dragons would slowly work their way down the field, going 54 yards on 11 plays, culminating with a 4-yard touchdown pass from QB Faron Emerson to HB Freddy Ashercraft to give New York a 7-0 lead with 6:58 remaining in the first quarter.
Both teams would trade punts later in the first quarter. The Rampage then drove 50 yards on 9 plays, with FB Bobo Cushing scoring on a 3-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7 with 11:47 left in the second quarter. A bad snap on a punt attempt by the Dragons gave Grand Rapids great field position in New York territory, only for the Rampage to squander it on a Dusty Mills pick of a Curtis Wayne pass. But Grand Rapids would redeem themselves when Emerson fumbled the snap and DE Marvin Tyles would recover it for the Rampage at the Dragons 5. Three plays later, Wayne would hit TE Bud Tyrer from 10 yards out to put the Rampage up 14-7 with 8:03 to go in the half. New York's defense would rise up, however, as S Omar Wheeley picked off a Wayne pass and ran 33 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 14-14 with 4:33 remaining. Grand Rapids fumbled the ensuing kickoff, but then LB Bobby Harpole intercepted an Emerson pass and the Rampage would get into position to attempt a 52-yard field goal with 1:30 left in the half, but George Tibbs missed it. The Dragons would subsequently drive down to give their kicker, Burt Hamrick, a chance to kick a 37-yarder with 30 seconds left to give New York a 17-14 lead at intermission.
The third quarter was a defensive struggle with the only scoring coming on a Hamrick 48-yard field goal to make it 20-14 Dragons with 2:50 remaining in the third. Hamrick would add another field goal from 42 yards to make it 23-14 with 12:19 to go in the fourth. Once again, Grand Rapids would fumble away the ensuing kickoff, but CB Orville Brill would intercept Emerson to keep New York from adding to the lead.
With 11:15 remaining, Grand Rapids had the ball at their own 18-yard line. Wayne hit Tyrer for a 33-yard gain. Then Wayne threw to Cushing for 11. Four plays later, on a 3rd-and-12, Wayne hit Tyrer again, this time for 26 yards to the Dragons 14. After a 1-yard loss by HB Hudie Naylor, a 10-yard pass to Tyrer, and an incomplete pass to WR Joe Foss in the end zone, the Rampage were faced with a 4th-and-1 from the Dragons 5. Tibbs would kick a 22-yard field goal to cut the Dragons lead to 23-17 with 7:02 left. After a Dragons punt, Grand Rapids would try to score the touchdown but were stopped cold at the New York 25 with 2:09 remaining. The Rampage got one more possession from their own 29 with 44 seconds left, but with no time outs, couldn't move nearly fast enough.
Offensively, New York only gained 186 yards of total offense. The running game yielded 111 yards of that offense, with Ashercraft leading the way (53 yards on 14 carries) and scoring the Dragons lone offensive touchdown as a receiver (4 rec, 10 yds, TD). Emerson was 15-for-30 passing for 90 yards, 1 TD and 2 picks, and was sacked twice, losing 15 yards. WR Elvis Darnell caught 4 passes for 62 yards.
Grand Rapids gained 259 yards of total offense. Curtis Wayne was the Rampage's leading rusher, with 24 yards on 7 carries, and Cushing had 6 carries for 13 yards and a touchdown. Tyrer was the leading receiver for Grand Rapids, making 5 catches for 89 yards and a touchdown. As a passer, Wayne went 19-for-42 for 207 yards, 1 TD and 2 picks. He was sacked twice, losing 16 yards. Grand Rapids also had five turnovers in the game, compared to three for New York.
Thursday, July 14, 2016
AFL: Detroit Drives Past Albany, 31-28
DETROIT-Lou Couch threw 2 touchdown passes, including the game-winner to Ahmed Sohn with 3:18 remaining to lead the Detroit Drive to a 31-28 victory over the Albany Firebirds in the AFL season opener for both teams.
After Detroit MLB Tad Adler intercepted Albany QB Sinbad Gargaro in the first possession, the Drive opened up the scoring with a 43-yard field goal by Cletis Frayer to give Detroit a 3-0 lead with 12:40 left in the first quarter. Later in the first, Albany's defense would get the Firebirds on the board, as Couch's mishandled snap resulted in a fumble recovery by DE Riley Cater, who rambled 28 yards to the end zone and gave Albany a 7-3 lead at the 6:35 mark. The Drive were quick to respond, however, as HB Patch Brolie scored on a 10-yard touchdown run off tackle right to give Detroit a 10-7 lead with 3:11 left in the first.
In the second quarter, Detroit expanded on their lead, as S Butch Bryant stepped in front of a Gargaro pass and took off on a 63-yard pick six and the ensuing extra point gave the Drive a 17-7 lead with 10:50 remaining in the half. But then the Firebirds got back on track, and drove 70 yards on 9 plays, culminating in a 1-yard plunge by Scooter Colby to cut the lead to 17-14 with 6:40 left in the second. The half ended with that score.
In the third quarter, Detroit had a chance to tie the game early, but Frayer missed a 51-yard field goal. The Firebirds would subsequently drive down the field, and scored when Gargaro hooked up with WR Teddy Harley on a 16-yard pass to take a 21-17 lead with 7:45 to go in the third. However, Detroit would drive down the field and retake the lead as Couch hit FB Rocky Adams with a 10-yard pass to go up 24-21 with 4:00 to go in the third. Albany K Dom Wenning missed a 47-yard field goal late in the third.
The score would remain 24-21 until midway through the fourth quarter. A long punt return by Harley set the Firebirds up in the red zone, and Gargaro would later hit FB Abdul Fowler for a 7-yard touchdown and give Albany a 28-24 lead with 5:51 remaining. But Detroit picked their way back down the field, driving 75 yards on 6 plays, with Couch hitting TE Sohn for a 1-yard TD pass to go up 31-28 with 3:18 left. Albany's hope for a comeback died two plays later when S McKinley Beaumont picked off Gargaro and Detroit ran out the clock.
The Drive offense gained 367 yards of total offense. Detroit gained 152 yards rushing, Brolie leading the way with 59 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown. Couch went 20-for-30 for 219 yards and 2 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked three times, losing 28 yards. Dave Huntley caught 5 passes for 105 yards, including a 24-yard completion from Brolie on an Option Pass at the end of the third quarter. Vern Kelly caught 6 passes for 54 yards.
Albany gained 258 yards of total offense. Colby led the Firebird rushers with 45 yards on 9 carries and a TD. Harley was Albany's leading receiver in a balanced passing attack, with 4 catches for 42 yards and a touchdown. Gargaro went 21-for-34 for 190 yards, 2 TD and 3 INT. He was also sacked once, losing 7 yards.
After Detroit MLB Tad Adler intercepted Albany QB Sinbad Gargaro in the first possession, the Drive opened up the scoring with a 43-yard field goal by Cletis Frayer to give Detroit a 3-0 lead with 12:40 left in the first quarter. Later in the first, Albany's defense would get the Firebirds on the board, as Couch's mishandled snap resulted in a fumble recovery by DE Riley Cater, who rambled 28 yards to the end zone and gave Albany a 7-3 lead at the 6:35 mark. The Drive were quick to respond, however, as HB Patch Brolie scored on a 10-yard touchdown run off tackle right to give Detroit a 10-7 lead with 3:11 left in the first.
In the second quarter, Detroit expanded on their lead, as S Butch Bryant stepped in front of a Gargaro pass and took off on a 63-yard pick six and the ensuing extra point gave the Drive a 17-7 lead with 10:50 remaining in the half. But then the Firebirds got back on track, and drove 70 yards on 9 plays, culminating in a 1-yard plunge by Scooter Colby to cut the lead to 17-14 with 6:40 left in the second. The half ended with that score.
In the third quarter, Detroit had a chance to tie the game early, but Frayer missed a 51-yard field goal. The Firebirds would subsequently drive down the field, and scored when Gargaro hooked up with WR Teddy Harley on a 16-yard pass to take a 21-17 lead with 7:45 to go in the third. However, Detroit would drive down the field and retake the lead as Couch hit FB Rocky Adams with a 10-yard pass to go up 24-21 with 4:00 to go in the third. Albany K Dom Wenning missed a 47-yard field goal late in the third.
The score would remain 24-21 until midway through the fourth quarter. A long punt return by Harley set the Firebirds up in the red zone, and Gargaro would later hit FB Abdul Fowler for a 7-yard touchdown and give Albany a 28-24 lead with 5:51 remaining. But Detroit picked their way back down the field, driving 75 yards on 6 plays, with Couch hitting TE Sohn for a 1-yard TD pass to go up 31-28 with 3:18 left. Albany's hope for a comeback died two plays later when S McKinley Beaumont picked off Gargaro and Detroit ran out the clock.
The Drive offense gained 367 yards of total offense. Detroit gained 152 yards rushing, Brolie leading the way with 59 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown. Couch went 20-for-30 for 219 yards and 2 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked three times, losing 28 yards. Dave Huntley caught 5 passes for 105 yards, including a 24-yard completion from Brolie on an Option Pass at the end of the third quarter. Vern Kelly caught 6 passes for 54 yards.
Albany gained 258 yards of total offense. Colby led the Firebird rushers with 45 yards on 9 carries and a TD. Harley was Albany's leading receiver in a balanced passing attack, with 4 catches for 42 yards and a touchdown. Gargaro went 21-for-34 for 190 yards, 2 TD and 3 INT. He was also sacked once, losing 7 yards.
Welcome
Hello, and welcome to The Fictional Sports Experience.
My name is Charlie Guenette, and the purpose of this little corner of the blogging universe will be the posting of results from fictional sports leagues that I will play through some different sports games.
The first league that I will be doing will be based on the "real" Arena Football League that ran from 1987-2008. I am running the league with the Universal Football League game (available for free at ufl.no-ip.info). It will be a 16-team league based on the teams who lasted the longest in the AFL as that particular team, a minimum of 6 years.
Here is the divisional alignment and predicted standings (based on a quick auto-sim)
AFL Predictions
EASTERN DIVISION
Grand Rapids Rampage 10-6
New York Dragons 7-9
Albany Firebirds 6-10
Detroit Drive 4-12
SOUTHERN DIVISION
Nashville Kats 10-6
Georgia Force 9-7
Tampa Bay Storm 7-9
Orlando Predators 5-11
CENTRAL DIVISION
Chicago Rush 10-6
Dallas Desperados 8-8
Iowa Barnstormers 7-9
Milwaukee Mustangs 6-10
WESTERN DIVISION
San Jose Sabercats 10-6
Arizona Rattlers 10-6
Colorado Crush 10-6
Los Angeles Avengers 9-7
PLAYOFFS
Grand Rapids over Nashville
Chicago over San Jose
ARENA BOWL
Chicago over Grand Rapids
Schedule For Week 1
Albany at Detroit
New York at Grand Rapids
Georgia at Nashville
Orlando at Tampa Bay
Iowa at Dallas
Milwaukee at Chicago
San Jose at Arizona
Colorado at Los Angeles
The opening game between the Firebirds and Drive will be posted later today.
DISCLAIMER: The Arena Football League and team names mentioned are property of the Arena Football League and their respective franchises. No challenge to ownership is implied. The names of the players who will be featured in these games are randomly generated and fictional. Any similarity to actual players, living or dead, is purely coincidental. I also assume no responsibility for the names that are generated and the reactions they may cause.
My name is Charlie Guenette, and the purpose of this little corner of the blogging universe will be the posting of results from fictional sports leagues that I will play through some different sports games.
The first league that I will be doing will be based on the "real" Arena Football League that ran from 1987-2008. I am running the league with the Universal Football League game (available for free at ufl.no-ip.info). It will be a 16-team league based on the teams who lasted the longest in the AFL as that particular team, a minimum of 6 years.
Here is the divisional alignment and predicted standings (based on a quick auto-sim)
AFL Predictions
EASTERN DIVISION
Grand Rapids Rampage 10-6
New York Dragons 7-9
Albany Firebirds 6-10
Detroit Drive 4-12
SOUTHERN DIVISION
Nashville Kats 10-6
Georgia Force 9-7
Tampa Bay Storm 7-9
Orlando Predators 5-11
CENTRAL DIVISION
Chicago Rush 10-6
Dallas Desperados 8-8
Iowa Barnstormers 7-9
Milwaukee Mustangs 6-10
WESTERN DIVISION
San Jose Sabercats 10-6
Arizona Rattlers 10-6
Colorado Crush 10-6
Los Angeles Avengers 9-7
PLAYOFFS
Grand Rapids over Nashville
Chicago over San Jose
ARENA BOWL
Chicago over Grand Rapids
Schedule For Week 1
Albany at Detroit
New York at Grand Rapids
Georgia at Nashville
Orlando at Tampa Bay
Iowa at Dallas
Milwaukee at Chicago
San Jose at Arizona
Colorado at Los Angeles
The opening game between the Firebirds and Drive will be posted later today.
DISCLAIMER: The Arena Football League and team names mentioned are property of the Arena Football League and their respective franchises. No challenge to ownership is implied. The names of the players who will be featured in these games are randomly generated and fictional. Any similarity to actual players, living or dead, is purely coincidental. I also assume no responsibility for the names that are generated and the reactions they may cause.
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